I want to install Linux as an alternative to shelling out tons for another copy of Win XP. I'm not sure which one to use. I plan to mainly use the computer to listen to music off of, and to run Folding@Home on. Also, I want to use instant messaging. I don't need word processing or any other applications like that. I have a Biostar M7NCD Ultra motherboard, with an Athlon XP 2600+ processor, Barton core. I don't know which distros are compatible with my hardware, and when I go to a download site, I want to download one thing, but when I try, it just keeps expanding the folders, and I don't know where to go.

I'm a computer nerd when it comes to Windows, but for Linux I'm still an idiot. I don't want that to be always the case though. Where can I find a detailed guide online to installing a distro of linux that is fast (preferably), and user-friendly? Thanks so much. Yes, call me a newb if you want, but include some suggestions also, please.

Decembermouse<><

You're accessing CVS when it's expanding folders. Go here and download the correct ISO. You should probably know that, and this is only my experience, Linux does seti@home about twice as fast as Windows.