Hi all,
Ive installed linux on the first partition of my disk (viz. /dev/sda1).
But the problem is that, when i try to install windows xp on /dev/sda5 its not installing and showing some error that it needs to write some information on the first partition of the disk,and that it cannot write to that partition.
My partition table is ::

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 637 5116671 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 638 38912 307443937+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda5 638 1529 7164958+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6 3571 13385 78838956 83 Linux
/dev/sda7 13386 26133 102398278+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda8 26134 38912 102647286 7 HPFS/NTFS

Windows needs to be on a primary partition, flagged as bootable, and most prefered is to have windows on the first partition. So your hard drive can have 3 primary, and 1 extended partitions, which contain multiple logical volumes. So you need to create at least one more primary partition, to install your Windows onto. I use the Gparted partition tool which can be found right here; http://gparted.sourceforge.net/, then boot to that CD.

Possibly Patina - Goddess of Wisdom who carries a penguin - is trying to send you a message

Remember to quote errors exactly as they appear.

How are you installing XP.

Note: XP installer can get confused about existing partitions. Create empty space for it (not formatted) and try again. Also - windows needs a primary partition.

That means i'll have to wipe out my linux from the first partition and install it on some partition other than the first one ???

Means you need to create a primary partition for Windows. It does not have to be the first partition - though XP is happiest there.

Remember - Windows is designed on the assumption hat there are no other OSs in existence.
I take it you know that XP will also overwrite your MBR?

Used to be linux /boot needs to be a primary partition too - but I don't know if that's changed.