Will I lose any data or software from an older system already installed on my hardware?

The Instant System need not disturb the existing hard disk, so that when the Instant System CD is removed the original installation can be recovered. The Standard and Custom Systems need to be written onto the hard disk. In many situations we can repartition the hard disk to make room for the new Linux system while keeping the original system intact, allowing both to exist on the same machine in a dual boot configuration.