reformat window in window/linux dual boot

Okay, before anyone redirect me to many good threads about how to setup window/linux dual boot, I would like to say that I GOT THEM WORKING.

My question is, since now I have two partitions, one for windows and the other linux, if I were to reformat window now, does the process also erase my linux partition as well? Any special precautions I should take? In addition, how does this affect GRUB or any other unforeseen problems? Although I'm no computer noob, I'm no linux expert either, so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

In short, would my linux installation survive the window reinstall? I'm not certain since all the window/linux dual boot instructions out there says install window first then linux, I'm affraid of wiping out my linux installation when reinstalling windows.

Hi and Welcome !

If you re-install Windows in existing Windows OS partition only then nothing will go wrong with Linux. You have to re-install GRUB only.
Which Distro do you have?

make sure that you are not going to touch the partition on which linux is installed during windows install

other than that you don't need to worry for anything in major

post the distro you are using as suggested by devils_casper

Quote:

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Originally Posted by devils_casper

Hi and Welcome !

If you re-install Windows in existing Windows OS partition only then nothing will go wrong with Linux. You have to re-install GRUB only.
Which Distro do you have?

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I'm using ubuntu feisty fawn. How do I reinstall GRUB?

Boot up using live Ubuntu cd

When you get to the desktop open a terminal and enter

Code:

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sudo grub

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This will get you a "grub>" prompt (i.e. the grub shell). At grub>. enter these commands

Code:

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find /boot/grub/stage1

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This will return a location. If you have more than one, select the installation that you want to provide the grub files.
use the value which was returned from above find /boot/grub/stage1 for the next commands

Code:

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root (hd?,?)

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use the value from the find command i.e. if find returned (hd0,1) then you would enter root (hd0,1)

Next enter the command to install grub to the mbr

Code:

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setup (hd0)

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Finally exit the grub shell

Code:

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quit

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That's it. Grub will be installed to the mbr

if you have any trouble in installing grub report back here

hope everything goes right for you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by solarbike

I'm using ubuntu feisty fawn. How do I reinstall GRUB?

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Post the output of sudo fdisk -l command here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by devils_casper

Post the output of sudo fdisk -l command here.

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Code:

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Disk /dev/sda: 100.0 GB, 100030242816 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 12161 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1  *          1      10220    82086448+  7  HPFS/NTFS
Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda2          10220      10855    5103000  12  Compaq diagnostics
Partition 2 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda3          10856      12099    9992430  83  Linux
/dev/sda4          12100      12161      498015    5  Extended
/dev/sda5          12100      12161      497983+  82  Linux swap / Solaris

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Compaq diagnostics is my thinkpad recovery partition.

you can reinstall GRUB to mbr by fallowing instruction i posted away.

had you experienced any trouble with those instructions

Boot up from Ubuntu CD after Windows OS installation. Open Terminal and execie this

Code:

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sudo grub
root(hd0,2)
setup(hd0)
exit
exit

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Reboot machine.

I'm having the same problem and Wanted to ask,can I use other Live CD versions ? for Example I have the KNOPPIX 5.1.1 Live CD,can I use these commands with it to reinstall GRUB ?

I know it might be a stupid question,but I had to ask...