linux/xp format question

[ink_echo]

I've got a dual boot system with Mandrake 9.1 and WinXP Home on the the same hard-drive.

Okay, I have never formatted a hard-drive or installed windows in my life. (Yes, laugh at me if you wish)

Recently my system crashed in Windows and after trying the ctrl+alt+del thing, I pressed the reset button. Booting back into Windows, my desktop icons look funny and I hate to think of all the other stuff that got corrupted.

I already backed up my important stuff. Now, I want to format the windows partition and re-install Windows.

Now the questions:

1. How do I do this? I have the XP Home CD and a bootable CD-drive.

2. Are there any complications I should be aware of since I have Linux on the same hard-drive?

3. Is there a limit on the number of Windows formats/installs? Okay, this probably sounds stupid but I read that you can only use each Windows CD on one computer and all this other stuff about activation keys.

Like I said, although I installed Mandrake, I have never formatted or installed windows so simple stuff would be appreciated.

[Telexen]

Put your XP cd into your drive and boot to it...make sure your BIOS has the CDROM set as the first boot device.

During the setup, you'll be given the option to partition/format the drive...the Linux partitions will show up as Unknown...so just leave them alone (If they're extended partitions you're screwed) and delete, recreate, then install on the C:

When finished, you'll have to activate your computer...follow instructions and it shouldn't be a problem, as you haven't changed any hardware.

[ink_echo]

Do I take the 'repair previous installation' option?

[Telexen]

Nope...press Esc

You won't need to delete any partitions. XP has the ability to recognize Linux partitions, but just assigns them a drive letter, it doesn't know what format they are.

All you need to do is put the CD in the drive, boot the PC, then go through the setup process. You can either choose to repair or install fresh, I would choose fresh. When it gets to the part asking which partition to install to, just choose your old XP partition. It will then ask you if you want to format it, then ask again if you're sure.

The only problem you'll run into, is XP will reinstall the boot loader and overwrite the one Mandrake put on. If you have a Mandrake bootdisk, then no worries. If not, then you'll have to probably go throught the process of creating one with the Mandrake install. I don't know if you can go straight to that step, or if you'll have to reinstall Mandrake again.

[ink_echo]

<i>The only problem you'll run into, is XP will reinstall the boot loader and overwrite the one Mandrake put on. If you have a Mandrake bootdisk, then no worries. If not, then you'll have to probably go throught the process of creating one with the Mandrake install. I don't know if you can go straight to that step, or if you'll have to reinstall Mandrake again</i>

Okay, now things are getting tricky. Lilo is on the Windows partition so I guess it is going to be wiped.

I've got all the Mandrake CDs. Is anybody running the same setup as me and has formatted the Windows partition?

I've reinstalled Windows w/ Linux on another partition. I just used the bootable floppy I made and reinstalled LILO.

I take it you DIDN'T head the warning and make a bootable floppy?

[ink_echo]

Oops, I didn't read your post properly.

So after I format and install Windows, I just have to create a bootable floppy through Mandrake, boot from it and install Lilo from there?

[samwichse]

I'd say you probably need to do that before you wipe the bootloader... otherwise, how are you going to get into mandrake to make the boot floppy?

No, you should have already made the bootable floppy. I don't think you can recreate the floppy unless you go through the Mandrake install again.