Win Xp has had its weekly virus infection, but this time with 6 seperate ones. I was able to get rid of all but one, and now Im down to reformating. Problem is, my dual boot with lilo has worked flawlessy, and I heard, once xp is installed, it overwrites the boot sector. Does anyone know how to install the lilo again, since xp doesnt even see the hard drive with mandrake on it? I cant risk losing mandrake, as its my only secure, fully fuctioning OS. And with an audigy 2, wireless internet, Ati 9700 pro, you can imagine the work ive had to put into it.

First question, when XP overwrites my boot sector, my 2nd hard is 100% dedicated to linux. So if only the boot sector is written over, my data is safe?

Second : How to reinstall a linux boot sector?

Yes, your data will be safe. I never have (nor will I..) installed XP so I don't know what it's like, but just pay attention and make sure it's not doing anything to the HDD with Linux on it. If as you mentioned XP doesn't even see it you should be all good.

Before you reinstall make sure you have a boot floppy that works...to get back to Linux.

Then reinstall win, then once that is up and running use your floppy to boot linux, then as root type 'lilo' and it should be back on your MBR.

workerd like a charm... much thankx

no prob