[PcEnthu]

Perform the following steps to keep the linux installation intact even after re-installing the windows:

1. Install windows xp in the primary partition
2. Install your favourite linux in a logical partition and choose not to install any bootloader
3. Download Grub4DOS and extract the file named grldr into the root folder of c drive (Considering c is your primary partition)
4. Create a text file named menu.lst with the bootcodes of your linux install and save it in root folder of c drive
5. Edit the windows xp boot.ini and append the following line
c:grldr="<name of the linux>"

Now, of you format the c drive and re-install xp, you can perform the steps 3,4 and 5 and boot into your linux install