Download from: http://www.pclinuxos.com/ or if you prefer a torrent, http://linuxtracker.org/index.php?page=torrents&category=262 you want PCLinuxOS 2007 final.

  The install will take about 30-45 minutes depending on your computer, then you need to update.

  This will install probably way more programs than you'll ever use, and only take 4gb
install space comes with Firefox browser, thunderbird for e-mail. also plenty of other good apps. like K3b for disk burning, and all the programs most people will ever need.

Suse was ok, but the permissions seemed to have a mind of their own when it came to writing to windows partitions. But has all the bells and whistles.... unloaded it.

Ubantu and Kabantu were good but a little klunky with respect to windows opening up in low resolution (I wanted 1024 768 in the windows, and for the life of me couldn't get them to open in anything other than 640)..... unloaded them.

Mint linux is similar (based on Ubantu I think, and had similar windowing problems for ME... (I'm probably not smart enough to fix this but it bugged me).... so out it went.

I settled for Mandriva spring 2007. This one is most like windows in it's behaviour, and importantly for me had the drivers in the kernel for my pcmcia card to get on the internet. (some weeks tweaking it to get it to function though, but it turned out simple... once again I was part of the problem.) It accesses the windows partitions read and write straight from the install, and the partitioning wizard made disk setup easier. It performs a touch slower on my Compaq laptop than windows, but is an excellent system for me.

Be warned, some distro's have difficulty with winmodems. Xandros is the only one I have used that ran my old winmodem straight out of the box, but there are work arounds available.

Brand new usb printers may have a problem if they are not supported right now, but a driver is usually available somewhere on the net. Happily, Samsung are providing linux drivers that self install for linux, and I have no doubt that others are too. (new usb color laser I have is Samsung)

Whatever you choose, try and have fun, but there will be some trying times when you want to do something that is not directly supported from the setup disks..... but help is always available on the web..... some very smart helpful people out there.

The shift will likely be seamless if you only want browsing and email (firefox and thunderbird for me), but I enjoy the lack of virus and associated antivirus programs running my computer for me. I use it for everything except Protel circuit board program, and DVD burning. (K3B has trouble with my drive.)

have fun

Keep yourself abreast of these free OS'es:  http://www.osnews.com/

Tips on using Linux/BSD:  http://www.freeos.com/
All you need to know about Linux:  http://www.linux.org/

Quick links to Linux distributions:  http://www.theosfiles.com/general/osf_free_oses.htm
http://osdir.com/Downloads.phtml

People are mostly recommending the thing they know the best. After started with RedHat and Suse I've been using Debian GNU/linux more than ten years. Many other distributions are based on that, including 'Ubuntu'.

With distros like Ubuntu the 'advantage' is that
you will get more recent software
than with the standard Debian.
The disadvantage is that there are more problems.
Debian developers have got the habit
to test the distro rather well,
before it is released as 'stable';
'unstable' and 'testing' in general contain most of the latest software,
which other distributions based on Debian like Ubuntu,
are including in their releases.

All computer softwares are now suffering of
those problems that they are released too early,
and users are expected to report about problems and needed fixings.
If the number of developers is large,
they will sort out the problems very quickly,
but you need to update regularly and
need good internet connections to do it.

I have equipment running Knoppix and Ubuntu at home (Knoppix runs my web server), though I find using YuM to update packages to be a bit of a pain.  1 CD does the full install.  You might find the LiveCD versions useful for rescuing your Windows box and/or the data that is on it -- NTFS and FAT emulation seems to work better on these versions than on others.  I also like them because I can get my USB wireless NICs to work reliably.

If you google a couple of previous posts, there is a poster that has come up with a linux kernel that is good about powersaving.  

If you want to try to save your Windows box, get a current copy of the LinuxDefender Live! CD.  Or install AVG AntiVirus or CLAM Antivirus for Windows (both are free and work reliably)
_____________________________

If you really would like trying to save the XP load, try pulling down the AVG free version along with ccleaner , uninstall ??-mantic , then use ccleaner to kill ALL of its registry links, install AVG and let both AVG and ccleaner fix the problems.
For me , when people show up with laptop in hand asking why xxx is popping up? These are what I use to clean those while they go buy a 30 pack.:-)
I may be easy, but I'm not cheap :-)

Hope that helps
Bruce S

Having been a software developer for over 30 years now, I have used various flavors of linux since the early 90's, now days it is quite durable and with graphic interface quite easy to setup and use.

There are a couple of questions that you should ask your self:

1. what compatibility do you need  with your old windows files?  .doc, .xls etc. can be handled the Sun open office software, but other file types may not be as easy.to acquire software to work with your older files.
2. what level of support do you need?
3. how is the software updated?

Typically the distribution decides on how the software is updated as well, so choose carefully or switch before you get too much time invested.

Ccleaner caught several troubled files and AVG caught 40, yes, 40 trojan executable files! All from one little slip up.

Afterwards, explorer would not load. I reloaded xp to get my files. Now I will checkout Linux OS's on CD. Three to try tonight.

I realize this board is primarily meant for alternative energy, but I've learned it's also a place to get help when you really need it.

I too, will give back as much as possible. My next generator (iron genny's big brother) should be done in July and I will post it here.