Re-install windows with dual boot

[DonaldM]

I am currently using linux with win 7 dual booting with grub.  I want to format the win partition and re-install xp.  Are there any implications for my pclinux instalation?

[Old-Polack]

I am currently using linux with win 7 dual booting with grub.  I want to format the win partition and re-install xp.  Are there any implications for my pclinux instalation?

That depends on whether the two installations are on the same or separate hard drives. If the same drive, grub will have to be reinstalled after the XP installation.

[Texstar]

I am currently using linux with win 7 dual booting with grub.  I want to format the win partition and re-install xp.  Are there any implications for my pclinux instalation?

Yes. Windows XP will overwrite the Master Boot Record and you will no longer be able to boot into your Linux installation.

[DonaldM]

Is there any way of backing up the linux instalation?

[Jaycoke]

To restore grub, use the PCLinuxos live cd and run the mbr repair tool. This will re-install grub, and restore your Linux installs.

[JerryP]

To restore grub, use the PCLinuxos live cd and run the mbr repair tool. This will re-install grub, and restore your Linux installs.

Will all the original files and set up stay they same? My dual XP install got corrupted about 2 years ago. Obviously I have gotten along fine without it but I always wondered if I could fix it and still keep my Linux install just the way it is. I wasn't keen to just try.

[Old-Polack]

To restore grub, use the PCLinuxos live cd and run the mbr repair tool. This will re-install grub, and restore your Linux installs.

Will all the original files and set up stay they same? My dual XP install got corrupted about 2 years ago. Obviously I have gotten along fine without it but I always wondered if I could fix it and still keep my Linux install just the way it is. I wasn't keen to just try.

If you have an XP installation disk you can either do an automatic repair of the existing system, which is really a reinstall of all the original files without reformatting the partition, or a complete reinstallation with formatting, and neither should bother your Linux installation, beyond rewriting the MBR code.

If you have a computer mfg's recovery disk that re images the hard drive to be as it was when purchased, it will wipe the Linux installation, including partitions, from the drive.

[Jaycoke]

Yes, Redo MBR will play nice with windblows. It basically runs the same scripts as the PCLOS install. The only time I have had to run it is after a windblows install ignored my Linux installs.

[DonaldM]

Thanks to all who looked and posted.  I think i will start from scratch and do a fresh install of everything