Hi, my name is Daniel & I've been considering trying out Linux. A friend of mine says he's got Linux's Ubuntu, & says he really likes it. I've got experience building computers, & Computer Networking. I've got a Desktop w/a free (empty, unformatted) 150 GB Seagate HDD, so I'd like to try using that HDD for a version of Linux. I'm running Win. 7 Ultimate on my primary drive, but I had to install the Win. 7 Ult. 32 bit disc for it to run successfully. I'm considering a dual boot system.

The System I built has an ASUS (A8N-SLI) 64 bit, Socket 939, NVidia N-Force4 Motherboard, w/an AMD, Athlon XP 4000+ 64 bit CPU. I've got 2 ASUS/NVidia G-Force N6800GT PCI Express Graphics Cards, w/256 MB DDR3 RAM each (using my SLI). I've got 2-1 GB 184 pin sticks of Corsair 3200+, 400 Mhz, CL-2 DDR-RAM. I' ve also got a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Sound System (4.1), w/internal PCI Card & external control box that runs w/Fire Wire. I've also got an Acer 24" Digital monitor, & 1 CD/DVD Burner,& 1 NEC Dual Layer DVD Burner.
I went into detail, just in case my system has something requiring a certain version of Linux. My main problem is, I don't know anything about coding, so I guess I need a version of Linux w/a robust GUI. I thank you in advance for your time & consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. -)

Vastly over-specified!

Download a Linux version of your choice e.g. Ubuntu and burn the ISO file onto a reusable RW DVD.
You must burn in a bootable or image form.

Boot the computer from DVD - but don't take the install option.
Most Linuxes will run from a DVD without affecting your hard disks, albeit rather slowly.

Try several other distros - I'd suggest you look at Mint

When you've settled on one, install it onto your hard disk.

I don't use prebult distros anymore but when I was distro hopping I really liked sabyon, but any debian based distro is probably the easiest for a newcomer to Linux to get to grips with at first.
Distrowatch has a HUGE selection.

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