Stupid newbie question...

[The Ayatollah of Rock and Rollah <zach.dubord@gmail.com>]

Hey 

I am COMPLETELY new to linux but I've used a Knoppix bootable cd and
have instantly fallen in love. Even from cd my system runs
considerably faster than with xp.

Having said this, I want to install debian but don't want to monkey
around with the partitions on my existing C drive. Is it possible to
install a second hard drive and run  two os's that way? Meaning, to
set it up so that I can boot my computer and get the option of either
running my windows os on my windows hard disc or my debian os on my
debian hard disc.

Sorry to be a nuisance or to repeat a question that's been asked a
million times. I just couldn't find my answer from any discernible
source online.

Thanks!