Install windows 8 on an existing arch installation

Hi Friends, I don't know if this is the correct place to ask but after many hours of googling, I am asking this question. I had two operating systems installed on my computer which I dual booted with grub: Windows 7 and Arch linux (Archlinux is still intact on my computer). Windows 7 got corrupted with virus and now it has become unusable. so, I decided to install Windows 8 in place of it. so, Friends, can Windows 8 be installed keeping the arch installtion safe ? Has anyone tried this method in which is linux is pre-installed and you have to install a new version of windows. I dont want to lose my arch linux installtion. If you want more information about my system partitions , I am willing to give it to you.Please Help.
I searched on Internet but found only the installation methods in which windows is installed first and then linux is installed. Many thanks.
Last edited by Pranavg1890 (2013-05-24 20:32:37)

Thanks Friends for your Replies.
But I think Somewhere I read that Windows Detects the linux partitions as unusable and formats them too. so, can anyone give me a confirmation for this?
My Partitions are as follows:
/dev/sda : ( 500 GB Hard-disk)
  1) /dev/sda1 : System Reserved ( Windows 7 ) (100 Mb) (ntfs)
  2) /dev/sda2 : Windows 7 ( Actual windows 7 installations) (362 Gb) (ntfs)
  3) /dev/sda3 : Arch-Root ( actual arch linux installation) ( 50 Gb) (ext4)
  4) /dev/sda4 : Extended partition in which the below partitions are included
       /dev/sda5: Arch-Home ( seperate home partition ) ( 100 Gb) (ext4)
       /dev/sda6: Swap Space ( 2 Gb ) (swap)
       /dev/sda7: Arch-Boot ( grub is installed on this partition) ( 500 Mb) (ext4)
  Please can anyone give me re-assurance for what I want to do. Cause Installing another operating system is a big step unless and until you unterstand follow it clearly.
Also, will I be able to boot Arch-linux from win 8 boot loader conidering my partition set-up ( To be specific , I want the Win 8 BootLoader's Mouse and touch funcionality)
Please Guide me step by step.Many thanks.
Last edited by Pranavg1890 (2013-05-24 21:22:09)

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               ******* Product: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Cache\SQLSupport\x86\1033\SqlSupport.msi
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    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:03:841]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Cache\SQLSupport\x86\1033\SqlSupport.msi has a digital signature
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:04:841]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Cache\SQLSupport\x86\1033\SqlSupport.msi is permitted to run at the 'unrestricted' authorization level.
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    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:06:607]: SOURCEMGMT: Source is invalid due to missing/inaccessible package.
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:06:607]: Note: 1: 1706 2: -2147483647 3: SqlSupport.msp
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:06:607]: SOURCEMGMT: Processing net source list.
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:06:607]: Note: 1: 1706 2: -2147483647 3: SqlSupport.msp
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:06:607]: SOURCEMGMT: Processing media source list.
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:07:654]: SOURCEMGMT: Resolved source to: 'SqlSupport.msp'
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:37:732]: Note: 1: 1314 2: SqlSupport.msp
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    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:37:763]: Note: 1: 1708
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:37:763]: Product: Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English) -- Installation failed.
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:37:763]: Windows Installer installed the product. Product Name: Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files (English). Product Version: 9.00.4035.00. Product Language: 1033. Installation success or error status: 1635.
    MSI (s) (28:CC) [09:33:37:779]: MainEngineThread is returning 1635
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:888]: No System Restore sequence number for this installation.
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    C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Setup Bootstrap\Cache\SQLSupport\x86\1033\SqlSupport.msi
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:888]: User policy value 'DisableRollback' is 0
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:888]: Machine policy value 'DisableRollback' is 0
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:888]: Incrementing counter to disable shutdown. Counter after increment: 0
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:904]: Note: 1: 1402 2: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Rollback\Scripts 3: 2
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:919]: Note: 1: 1402 2: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Rollback\Scripts 3: 2
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:919]: Note: 1: 1402 2: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\InProgress 3: 2
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:919]: Note: 1: 1402 2: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\InProgress 3: 2
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:919]: Decrementing counter to disable shutdown. If counter >= 0, shutdown will be denied.  Counter after decrement: -1
    MSI (s) (28:28) [09:33:37:919]: Restoring environment variables
    MSI (c) (E0:88) [09:33:37:935]: Decrementing counter to disable shutdown. If counter >= 0, shutdown will be denied.  Counter after decrement: -1
    MSI (c) (E0:88) [09:33:37:935]: MainEngineThread is returning 1635
    === Verbose logging stopped: 3-4-2009  9:33:37 ===

    This post should definitely help you
    http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlserverfaq/archive/2009/01/30/part-1-sql-server-2005-patch-fails-to-install-with-an-error-unable-to-install-windows-installer-msp-file.aspx?CommentPosted=true
    Feroz
    Mark as Answer if it helps. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confers no rights.

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