[SC.LUG] GRUB Bootloader and 'MS Windows'

[Roger Gibson]

For various reasons I have to use a multi-boot system with MS XP Pro 
still lurking around.

I recently started to get problems with the screen totally freezing in 
'Windows', which turned out to be a motherboard hardware problem, but 
not when running Linux as it was only the grinding of inefficient MS 
code that pulled it down.  However when this was being fixed under 
warranty the Evesham technician made the interesting comment that on 
it's service training courses, MS recommends completely reloading the 
system every 18 months, as the only way to get rid of residual nasties 
that may be lurking after the inevitable crashes etc.

However, my problem is this, and I have tried looking in all sorts of 
places to glean information, but have found no mention.

Reloading Windows happily leaves my partitions intact, and only 
over-writes the primary Windows partition.  However it also pinches my 
GRUB Bootloader, and I can find no way of replacing it without reloading 
my SUSE Linux.  Not a big chore as /home lives on another partition, but 
a chore nevertheless.

Is there a simple way to restore the GRUB Bootloader after reloading 
Windows, either from a back-up on another partition, or a floppie?  Part 
of my problem is I don't know where it is supposed to live anyway.

Another question, is loading a second (mainstream) Linux flavour as 
simple as loading it into an empty partition, allowing it to share swap 
and home with the other distros?

Any help gratefully received, and a round on me when I can escape to a 
LUG meeting.