replace one distro with an other on dual boot system without...
 

losing winXP.

i have Edubuntu and WinXP Pro on a dual boot system right now. i want to replace Edubuntu with Freespire as i am sick and tired of not having the networkability of linux thanks to Edubuntu.

even when following the hacks/HOWTOs from the bunutu web page/forums i can not get the printer to share across the network, nor can i ssh INTO the edubuntu. as a result i want to replace edubuntu with an other distro. i am wanting to play more with freespire as it claims to have full media support built into it from the Cd.

i know it causes issues with the MBR and can/will trash a drive to the point it will not allow other OSs/distros to be installed. my last thread about freespire and this issue i ended up using INCERT to format the hda just so i could install something other then freespire.

what steps do i need to take to ensure that ONLY the linux partitions are touched by the install of Freespire without touching winXP and without messing up the MBR so i can still gain access to XP.

this is my kids game computer and sadly crossover office and transgaming do not support any of the JumpStart or Reading Rabit type games. i have the NIC disabled in XP so there is no security issues to deal with as no one in the house but me has a clue how to enable it *grins*

thanks for the help.

How did u install Edubuntu? Follow the same procedure

installed XP first, then edubuntu default install IIRC doubt i did my normal fdisk for /boot /swap / and /home

Never tried freespire , but i think it will use the existing partitions

ok just dont want to bork the XP partition. way to many kids games on there for me to bother reinstalling in a night.