I am brand new at this linux and know NOTHING about it what so ever. Im just wondering if someone would point me in the right direction to get started. I am running xp pro with only 512 ram and would guess that loading linux would not be what I want to do. However can I save it to disk and run from there when I want? As i've said, im new to linux but am very interested in learning the system.

Thanks in advance

Not sure what you mean by "loading Linux", but yes of course you can install to your hard disk and run it whenever you want. You'll need free (i.e. unpartitioned) space to do so and if your Windows partition is taking up the entire drive, you'll need to shrink it (or use another disk, obviously). Many distributions also have a "live CD" version, which allows you to use Linux without installing it Obviously running it from CD is slower than a hard disk installation. One distribution with a live CD version is Ubuntu.

Start with a LiveCD or LiveDVD if your machine will boot from CD. Obviously things won't be a responsive when running from a CD as they would if you install Linux to the hard drive. You can download the .iso image and burn it using Windows

There are many distros that can be used from a CD/DVD. I've only used Ubuntu and Knoppix from CD and either would work for you. If you go to http://distrowatch.com you can find many others.

hello golden duck im a bit of a noob too

welcome to LQ's, its a nice place to learn about linux.
you can dual boot XP and a linux distro, that is have a screen giving you a choice of which OS you would like to run when you start your computer. its pretty easy to do on the same harddrive, it involves 'partitioning' the harddrive, and both windows and any linux distro will allow you to do that on installation. just remember its better to install windows first, then linux second, otherwise windows will selfishly rewrite the MBR (Master Boot Record) and not include linux.

i suppose your most immediate concern is which linux distro to start with. may i suggest Vector linux, as it has many things working 'straight out of the box', such as music and video support, and its also set up in a way for you test out different 'desktop environments' and 'window managers', and is generally a good distro to get a feel for how a linux system can work well. i started with Fedora Core and it nearly put me off linux for life, then i switched to Vector and everything seemed alot clearer.

to learn about linux in general, just bookmark the forums here at LQ's, i learn alot by just watching other peoples threads and trying the same things out on my own system. a good link is http://www.chongluo.com/books/rute/

the going can be quite tough at first, but take small steps and it will get easier as you bring your system together. its very rewarding

Golden Duck, if u can run winXP and have 512mb of ram for your machine, be certain that linux is less resource intensive than windows. If u have an old drive collecting dust stick it in u machine as a second hard drive and install your choice of a linux distro w/little or no trouble. U can also just create a linux partition on your current hard drive. All the linux distros come with plenty documentation and there are tons of HOWTOs to guide you and of forums to get extra support, at least that was the way it was when I first installed Linux slackware. Mind u there is lots of reading. lolol

The "getting started" link below might help.

I can't stress enough how much easier WUBI is for a total noobie.

• Install like any windows program (.exe double click) from windows
• installs Ubuntu (Gnome or KDE)
• No partitioning
• No permanant changes to your hard drives
• Configurations are saved (unlike liveCD)
• It behaves like any dual boot system
• It is removed through add/remove programs in Windows without a trace.

http://wubi-installer.org/

I'm using a Wubi install right now and have been able to configure my wireless card and install programs just like a regular install.

It's way simple, runs faster than a liveCD and is zero risk to a noobies computer.