I am new to linux!!
I need help installing PCLinuxOS 2007.

I have two WinXP installations in dual boot.
I want to install PCLinuxOS without touching the existing WinXP installs such that I don't want to lose my existing NT bootloader. I want to add the option of booting to linux in my existing NT bootloader by adding an option to it.

How do I do that? Please help...

Why don't you want to use a linux bootloader ? Thats a mystery to me.

Because yes it overwrites the windows MBR, but it also, normally, "see's" all installed OS and offers you the choice of what you want to boot.

Anyway, the answer to your question about how to boot linux with the windows bootloader is only a google away - I understand that people only tend to do that for the challenge - not because "their" bootloader is better.

Oh and it's quite requent for "main stream" distros to offer the choice of "re-installing the windows bootloader". Mandriva does, and as PCLinuxOS is a mandriva derivative - you could probably be OK installing the linux bootloader (dunno if PCL uses lilo or grub as default) and if it's a problem then just running the install disc into "rescue" mode and re-installing the windows bootloader.

regards

John

Is there a specific reason for wanting to keep your exisiting boot loader?

You do have a couple of ways.

1) Virtualize your system. That way your boot loader is untouched.
2) The other way would be to edit your boot.ini to add your linux partition to it.

Another thing you could do is just install the linux standard boot loader which is better at booting windows and linux. if you don't like it you can always boot into xp, Recovery console, and type fdisk /mbr.

I would go for the virtualization if your system can support it. It keeps your bootloader intact, If you play games you don't have to reboot, and if you mess something up with your linux install, nothing gets harmed.