Bytes 440-443 overwritten by grub-install

[Joachim von Jena]

Dear grub-developers,

no one of the developers of two Linux-distribution I am using could answer my questions 
for sure, whether grub-install overwrites the 4 Bytes 440-443 where the Windows 
relevant Serial Number ist stored - or not.

On the two distribution I currently use are different grub-versions installed: 0.97 and 
1.96 respectively.

I am now very concerned especially about an implementation of 1.96 on a test version of 
Kanotix which I installed by accident in the MBR.

Question: is it conceivable that regular versions of 0.97 or 1.96 are allowed to 
overwrite part or all of the Bytes 440-443 when installing grub in the MBR?

From my experience with grub 1.96 of today I can conclude that at least this version 
has overwritten (a new Serial Number) Bytes 440-443 of my MBR.

Your answer would be very much appreciated.

Kind regards

Joachim v. Jena