Re-installing W98 without endangering the Linux partitions?

[Jeff Kinz]

On Sat, Sep 18, 2004 at 04:36:23PM -0400, Bill Freeman wrote:
> 	You may consider this off topic, but I can't see Windows folks
> as knowing how to do anything other than take over the whole
> machine...
> 
> 	I wish that I never had to boot into Windows.  But I aint
> there yet (though it's down to on the order of once a month).  I have
> a dual boot RH9 - W98SE configuration.  But the Windows installation
> has lately become unbootable.
> 
> 	So, I'm considering the Microsoft re-install dance.  And yes,
> I'll do backups of the Linux stuff first.  But I'm looking for tips,
> war stories, and warnings as to what to say to W98 install to minimize
> the likelihood of having to restore the Linux partitions.

I have a solution, but its outside the box you implied above, and it may
not work for you at all.

VmWare workstation has a free 30 day trial package here:
http://www.vmware.com/vmwarestore/newstore/wkst_eval_login.jsp

If vmware will run the Win app you're currently booting Win for, then
you can just replace your Win partition with vmware.

No more booting into win.

Back in the box, I recall that, Yes Win installs tend to assume they are
the only player in the game and tend to destroy other boot capabilities
on the disk, So:

 0. Backup all crucial data. (need some disk space? I can give you some
 scp access to kinz.org, ala a primitive form of Cringely's Baxter idea)
 (reminds of Apollo, using ram in NH for virtual memory on machines in
 Mass. :-) )

 1. Make sure you have a bootable live cd of knoppix or some Linux
 rescue CD on hand before you start

 2. Re-install Windows, taking special care to only let it mung the
 existing Win partition.

 3. boot up and see if Grub|lilo is still there (probably not) if not
 boot the Linux CD and re-grubify|liloify the boot sector on the disk


-- 
Linux/Open Source.  Now all your base belongs to you, for free.
============================================================
Idealism:  "Realism applied over a longer time period"

Jeff Kinz, Emergent Research, Hudson, MA.