Repartition XP (bootcamp) and using Ext HDD for backup

[04texag]

Like a lot of other people out there, I really didn't plan out my partition size very well. I think a lot of it has to do with how much space XP really takes up once installed and updated, quite a lot.

I have a new 24" Aluminum IMac.

I need to up the size of my partition for XP. I want to be able to run at least one game from within XP, and thus need about 50 GB because today's games are so much larger. This is where I miscalculated.

I realize that you cannot adjust the size and it appears like the best, or only option without additional software, is to "undo" the partition and redo all the steps?

I really do not mind doing so because I have an external hard drive that is set up to be used with the XP bootcamp install.

I just set up this hard drive, so it's a clean 250 GB. Both my XP partition and the drive are in NTFS format. I had mounted this external drive drive to a folder within the C: drive. Will I need to "unmount" this drive and have it as just a drive letter like E:?

What I want to do is take the files on xp and transfer them to the empty hard drive so that I can redo bootcamp to the larger size I want. Then I can move the files back to the xp partition and go back to an empty external.

Once I redo bootcamp, will the new, clean xp install be able to see this external drive with the data on it? I don't want to run into a situation where it cannot see it and wants to format the drive, obviously would mess up what I'm trying to do.

Again, I think I know more or less what I need to do, but have never done any of these things. I guess I'm looking for some reassurance or guidance as to the steps I need to take. Also, it would be extremely helpful if anyone can point me towards any guides or support areas on how to do each of these individual things (i.e. undo bootcamp and re-install bootcamp/xp).

I know it's lengthy, but I really do appreciate any help whatsoever.