Windows Re-install Question on Dual Boot PC
Hello -
I have a dual boot computer with Windows XP Home and SuSE Linux 9.0. I was having problems with XP running VERY slowly, so I asked an "expert" to look at the problem. She installed a bunch of XP drivers (I think). She doesn't remember exactly what she did. The result is that now I can't even boot to XP. Linux is fine.
I have tried to start XP from the last good configuration, but that doesn't work. I have tried to install from the XP CD's using the Repair option. That doesn't work. The system just hangs during the boot process. I have an NTFS partition for XP, and a ReiserFS partition for Linux - both on the same physical S-ATA hard drive.
I have several questions: First, to re-install XP from CD, should I let GRUB request which OS I want, then insert the XP CD, then select Windows? Or should I just turn on the computer with the XP CD already in the drive? I have been trying the second method.
When I start XP from the XP CD's and tell the computer to do a Fresh Installation (rather than a Repair), it tells me that another OS is on that partition, and that this OS will be damaged by the fresh install. Is this "other OS" referring to the existing XP installation - or to my Linux installation (or both)? I DO NOT want to have to re-install Linux, as it took me quite a while to get it configured for my DSL service, etc. Also, if this fresh install succeeds, will it over-write my current Master Boot Record thus disabling my current dual boot arrangement and leaving Linux hanging?
Similarly, if I were to try to reformat my hard drive in order to cleanly re-install XP, will this over-write the Master Boot Record? Will it format the ReiserFS Linux partition also, or only the XP NTFS partition? And again, will a new XP installation over-write the Master Boot Record eliminating my abilty to dual boot?
Thank you!
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