I have a laptop with 3 partitions. 1) Vista recovery partition at the start of the HD. 2) Vista c: drive. 3) A partition called Data.

I want to install Linux but am unsure as to whether the Vista restore partition will still be accesible if I need to recover Vista in the future. I'm assuming, as GRUB will alter the boot partition, this may impact upon the recovery partition.

Many thanks for any advice.

Welcome to LQ!!

Installing the GRUB boot code to the MBR will not affect any partitions. You will need to re-size one or both of the two partitions (not the recovery partition). I think I have read here that Vista has tools for re-sizing---or you can use something like GParted on a bootable CD.

Once you have empty (unpartitioned) space, the Linux installer will typically detect Windows and automatically configure the bootloader.

If you don't have a Windows installation disk, I would try to get one. I've never understood recovery partitions, and I would always be leary of not being able to re-install the OS.

Mine had *4* partitions - a media thingy as well from Dell which I've never tried to use. Fortunately that was a logical.
Vista has better partition management, but it seems to not resize below 50% of the original size. This is purely experience from 2 different machines I tried. Use the gparted liveCD. Vista may (will) take a while to reboot and verify the partition - mine took 45 minutes on my 320 Gig disk (laptop).
Use logical partitions for Linux - keeps everyone happy.
I kept the Vista boot loader as I knew the Service Pack was on the way - EasyBCD allows you to add Linux easily enough. Just to save screwing around restoring boot-loaders.
Personal choice.