Hi AB

You mentioned Linux so I have composed a little intro for you:

So you want to try Linux.

I suggest an approach of using really tiny steps using the Windows

environment to prepare yourself without using or changing any software or

operating systems.

Step one

Look at your keyboard.  To the right you will find a collection of

directional keys and various other groups of keys and further to the right

there are some number keys.  Look at the middle collection of keys.  Follow

your eyes up from the Page Up and Page Down keys.  You will see the

Pause|Break button.  Press that button.  Nothing will happen.  This button,

that you probably deliberately pressed for the first time ever, is an

absolutely essential button for trying out Linux.

What does it do?

Make a note or print the following instructions.

Using the Start Menu choose Turn Off Computer > Restart.

The machine will switch off then come back to life - as soon as you see any

text appear on the black screen press the Pause|Break button.  You have to be

quick when you first do this otherwise it will proceed to start as normal.  (Now I just listen for my machine to make a

beep and press as soon as - your machine may not beep though).

If you have pressed it in time the whole start up will have paused and you

should be looking at a black screen with white text on it.  The amount of

white text will vary depending on how promptly you pressed the Pause|Break

button.  This black screen is called the BIOS.

Now press enter.

More text will appear and your machine will start up as normal and boot up

Windows.

That is the end of the lesson.  Try it everytime you start or restart your

machine - wait for the first words to appear on the black screen or the first

"system beep" press the Pause|Break button so that it stops then press enter

to continue the start up process. Remember the term BIOS.

When you are comfortable with this and if your curiosity is sufficiently

aroused email me for tiny lesson number two.