"SuSE 9.x and some versions of RedHat use GRUB as a bootloader. This is fine, except for the fact that they universally mess up the configuration of it for getting Windows to work.

My recipe for dual boot:

1) I prefer to have Linux and Windows on entirely separate hard discs. It is now possible to resize NTFS partitions from within the SuSE/RH/MDK installer if you need to cram both OS on a single hard disc. I prefer to have Linux on e.g. the primary master and Windows on the primary slave - this way there is no contamination between different operating systems.

It is acceptable to have Windows on the master and Linux on the slave, but your Windows drive will be modified to include the Grub boot loader - if it goes wrong, that's two OS down the tubes.

2) Install WinXP or 2k first, with its drive set as primary master, then just jumper it as slave. Windows won't recognise anything different.

3) Set up Linux according to whichever howto/manual/FAQ you like. There are enough about.
3a) Every installer, especially SuSE, gives you the option to edit the bootloader configuration manually prior to installation. This is where you can correct the error they always make before you have any problems. Since every installer is different, I won't describe how to find the relevant menu - it should be fairly self-evident. You can always fix it later in Linux.

My compleate recipe can be found here: