Hello all!

I am new to Linux. Have never used it, only heard about it. Would rather not pay through the teeth to have this fixed. Maybe you all can help?

I am trying to reformat my computer due to clutter, mess and general disfunction on my system. Figured a system restore was in order but when I started the computer with the format disc i get a:

- kernel panic: VFS: unable to mount root fs on unknown block (8,2).

Any ideas? Anyone know? Please help!

I am running XP with an AMD Processor (do not know which as I am not currently near my comp) with about 1.8gb of ram (came with 500mb originally).

format with a linux live cd

Where and how would I find one of those? Would it fix this issue so I can then use the original boot disc?

it would format your harddrive then you can do anything you want
just google linux live cd

Can you explain in laymans terms, what exactly Linux is and does? If I use this disc, can I still run XP after?

yes
you dont needd to install linux if you dont want
almost all live cds can format a partition
one thing is DO NOT FORMAT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR XP CD UNLESS YOU WANT TO SWITCH TO LINUX

Thanks! I do still have my original XP and boot discs so I am good there. What causes this kind of error to occur? I googled the 'Live CD' and many different kinds seem to available. Any recomendations?