XP reinstall Questions - need clarification

Wiped out Windows and installed Ubuntu Hard Heron 6 months ago. Unfortunately, current at home employment requires use of some Windows OS apps to some degree. If I reinstall XP, I can then install Hardy & dual boot to solve my employment problem. I've researched various forums but not sure I fully understand the ramifications of installing XP using an OEM disk.

Since I reformatted my hard drive for Ubuntu, I assume a Win XP install will overwrite everything. Yes or No? What problems can I expect?

Most tutorials for a clean install do not address overwriting the hard drive to restore to OEM. Research indicates that drive updates may also be a problem. Haven't found a step by step process for this particular situation - is there any recommendation?

 

I'm going to try to work around the issue, and see if we can't fix you up... Which apps do you think you need in Windows? There's *usually* a linux counterpart. I'll do some fast and furious research for you, if you want to hold on nuking your drive for a bit.

 

before you do anything so rash as formating just to get a couple of windows compatable software go to this site and see if there isn't an equivalent http://www.linuxappfinder.com/alternatives?page=3 or go to Linuxquestions.org the people there are very very helpful.
now to answer your questions .
as far as I remember you cannot ( or it is very difficult) install a windows based OS after a Linux OS has been installed. but check out those websites and you probably can find a good alternative

 

XP reinstall Questions -- need clarification

Thanks for your prompt answers. I have all the Linux apps I need and am 99% satisfied with the OS. It has its foibles but so does Windows. However, there are some apps that just work better in Windows. There are really only two things I have not been able to get Linux apps to work for me: PalmOne Zire 21 and a Garmin GPSIII. I can live without these but they sure are nice to have.

My basic problem is that my employer has a product that is Internet Explorer based. I need to test the delivery of the downloadable product. That is the only browser that works. IE does not work in Wine for what I need. To date, I've been using a friend's computer. This is doable but is not optimal for at home work, especially since I live in a rural area.

I've researched Virtual Box but it requires a new Win OS disk with its own product code - the OEM disk will not work. Installing Windows after Linux can be done but is above my pay grade. It would be much easier for me to start over.

Not convinced at this point that the "cure" is worth pursuing! Pros & cons would be appreciated.

 

I was going to suggest looking over at the Linux Alternatives Project, but for something vendor specific like Garmin and Palm? I haven't come across anyone who has written something for those.

Sorry, man, you may have to deal with Windows for the couple of things your boss needs. (But you can remind him that browser-specific code is just bad design practices, and *SO* 1994. )

 

I wished I can remember which browser it is but there is a browser that you can set the compatability for either Internet Explorer ,firefox or Opera but at this moment I can't seem to rememebr which one it is.