On you example system there are four partitions that I will be blowing away

i tried upgrading with this method but when the option comes "where do you want to install windows?", no drives are shown..there's no problem with my hard disk...Could any one help me with this?

I have a HP Pavillion with an Athalon II x 2 processor, 3 gb of RAM a 2 terrabyte and a 1 terrabyte and an ATI Radeon HD 5450 video card. My try at clean install over Windows 8 RP did not work. It stalled when I was told I needed unspecified drivers to continue. None of the drivers on the HP web site worked with Windows 8. I opened the start screen in Metro and clicked on the install Windows 8 tile. After 8 was installed, there was no sound. On one of the message boards was a link to get the Realtek drivers. I installed the driver, no sound. I dl'd the driver from a different mirror and installed it. On reboot, I got the BSOD with repair suggestions. I tried each repair suggestion with no luck until I tried the "Erase all files and reinstall" option. After over an hour of computer churning, I ended up with what seems to be a fully functional install with working sound.

All seemed well and good until I looked at Windows Explorer. A 500 GB partiton on Drive 2 was missing. I cranked up Easus Partition Master and found the lost partition. It had no drive letter and was labeled as a System drive. It was not accesible to me. I was able tor recover all but 180 GB of storage.

Now I have WIndows 8 OS on partition C on drive 1 (2TB) and System files and some old backup files in a hidden partition on drive 2 (1 TB). What happens if I remove drive 2 or it fails?? Is there any way to recover the hidden partition? Will a complete format of the System drive recover the hidden partition or is it lost forever? I have ordered the Win 8 DVD and may try to wipe everthing and start over when it arrives.

I installed from a flash drive, when the first restart arrives in the process, if you don't change the booting squence in the Bios, and the restart is quick with a SSD, you will boot again from the flash drive. This is somthing you don't want since it'll start the installation from the beginning again.