i have a second hardrive that i want to devote completely to linux. i've done this before but screwed up my bootloader for windows once. thats fixed but i want a "safe" way to install without risking my windows bootloader.
so basiclly i want to install a dual boot with winXP. any recommendations on how to do this? i don't really want to touch anything on the windows drive.

1. I have installed Grub in the MBR of the first HDD. No problems.
2. It is also possible to install the bootloader on a floppy.
3. You can also boot Linux with the first CD or DVD.

Like Keru(...) said, you'll either need to install Grub boot loader on the MBR, or put your boot loader on a floppy. The floppy option wont screw with your windows and you wont be able to boot to linux without that floppy. If you loose the floppy, good luck getting back to linux.

I'd suggest just installing the MBR to replace the Windows MBR. You can always get your Windows MBR by booting with the XP Install CD and go into the Repair utility dos window and there's an option to repair the MBR back to windows.

When I removed linux once, I ran into that problem and still got back to my stuff w/o a problem. So I wouldnt worry about losing Windows if you choose to install the grub boot loader.