Upgrade to Windows 7 question

I have been planning to install a new HDD in my rig and then upgrade my Windows XP with Windows 7 Home upgrade. I have Windows 7 upgrade for Windows Vista. I recognize that I would have to do a clean install, but I had intended to partition the drive to two partitions, one of them being about 50 GB for the OS. I have the Windows XP and legal product key. Now I read in a forum that I can't do that, and must use the Windows 7 full license edition.
I have everything backup and the new drive, but I am not technically knowledgeable enough to do a double-install or registry patch and even if I could I don't think that I will end up with what I want as far as the portioning goes. I hope that I have explained my problem sufficiently and I would appreciate someone helping me out with this.

 

Uhhh, I must say, that to me, you have not. :-o If you want to create 2 partitions, and install Win7 to one, and WinXP to the other, it shouldn't be a problem. Use this link to find out how to set up a dual boot for XP and 7. If you're not trying to dual boot XP and 7, please clarify your situation.

(I've had a beer or two and may have misunderstood your initial question :innocent )