Format a lenovo?

I wnat to create xp dual boot on a 3000 N200 with Vista Home Premium. I know that it involves formatting and installing first XP and then Vista but I have this 'recovery parition'. Iv'e been told not to delete it but i'm warried that it might not work with the new OS even if I only formatt c: What does it do? Why shouldn't I delete it? What happens if I do?