"could I create a new partition on my second HD, copy the contents of my slack partition there and copy it all back when done with the format/reinstall? If so, would I have a functioning OS with my settings as they were, and: what tool should be used to create partitions on the 2nd drive?"
I suggest that you copy your Slackware partition to the second hard drive and make the new partition a functional Slackware system. Configure the second hard drive partition table using fdisk. Create a swap and a / partition. Then create a file system in the / partition:
mkfs.ext2 /dev/hdb2
Then mount your new system and copy your Slackware system:
mkdir /newslack
mount -t ext2 /dev/hdb2 /newslack
Copy your Slackware system to your new partition by using the cp -pR command:
cp -pR / /newslack
The -p option is absolutely necessary to preserve ownership and permissions during the copy. Edit the bootloader config file (lilo.conf or grub.conf) and /etc/fstab on your new Slackware system to reflect the new partition arrangement. Then create a boot floppy that will boot into your new Slackware system. Test out your second Slackware system. You will then have your current Slackware system running on your second drive and bootable no matter what you do to your first hard drive.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to stick with your original plan then follow the above instructions but do not change lilo.conf, grub.conf, or /etc/fstab. Also don't bother with the boot floppy.
After you get your first disk straightened out then you can copy Slackware back with by booting a rescue CD such as Knoppix, mounting the two partitions and using cp -pR to copy Slackware.
The advantage of the first plan is that you have a chance to test the copied Slackware before you destroy the old Slackware. With the second plan you copy Slackware twice and then hope it works.
___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html
Steve Stites