If i format the First OS in Dual boot

Hi All,
I have configured dual boot on my system. first is windows XP and second fedora core 6. suppose my Windows XP gets corrupted then there is only 2 option left.

1) to repair the OS
2) or to install fress. in this case what to do.
i) dont format the system leave as it is because then boot inforamtion of the linux will be lost.( i am right)

QUE:- just wanted to know what i said is right or not.

thanks

It depends on what boot manager you use. If you use the Windows bootloader, then formatting the WIndows partition will break it. If you are using GRUB, then all the information is stored on the Linux partition (and you could still boot using the GRUB command line anyway).

Other boot loaders can be completely standalone, living entirely in the boot sector, making them immune to OS or filesystem problems.

Mind you, when you repair or reinstall Windows, it will trod all over your bootloader and replace it with the Windows one no matter what.