will linux operate on my laptop
 

I have a compaq armada 7400 with 32k memory cache and 256 secondary memory cache and a 6 gig hard drive. Would it be possible to use linux on this pc if I were to get rid of microsoft. Microsoft has taken all my hard drive.

Yes. Use a minimal Linux distribution. DSL, Zenwalk and !Crunchbang and Arch recommended. Google will show you the way :)

Vector Linux Light is another lightweight distribution that has not been mentioned already.