IF you want to see if linux will run on your PC, go to
http://www.phlak.org/modules/mydownloads/ and download PHLAK. It is an ISO image, so u need to burn it to a disc, then reboot your PC with the disc in the drive. It is a live disc which means it will run right off the CD with no installing or anything being written to the hard disk. If your machine boots up, and everything is working fine, then your computer is linux ready. For a good distribution, i recommend suse personal edition 9.2. there are many others out there, and i recommend doing your research on which does what before you install anything.