HD Install :: Overwriting previous Linux install

be carefull!

i think this is how grub works.

grub alters the mbr AND puts some files stage1, stage2 menu.lst in a directory /boot/grub on your linux partition.

so if you wippe your SUSE grub cannot find these files and will fail.

now if you are able to delete all BUT the /boot directory, have the hd-install to your linux partition WITHOUT formating and liloing, then if you change /boot/grub/menu.lst your done.

or you could first repear your XPboot (recovery cd)
then do a DSL hd-install
then use i.e. knoppix 3.3 to to a grub-install
then change /boot/grub/menu.lst :

Code Sample

# boot menu configuration file

timeout 10
default 0
fallback 0

title Windows XP
#unhide (hd0,0)
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

you should have your XP running again

then add something like:

Code Sample

title Damnsmall Linux 0.8.0
root (hd0,1)
kernel (hd0,1)/boot/linux24
initrd (hd0,1)/boot/minirt24.gz

and DSL should be an extra choice

I run a simular configuration. yet not a hd-install but a poorman's

original here.