Which *nix????

If you want to try out red hat 9 try this site:

http://www.nomachine.com/

Download the windows client and click on test drive and sign up - Presto your very own RH9 box on the net!

Hey, man...what I think you're getting wrong is that you're trying to format the disk as though you were going to install windows. What you actually need to do is either partition your disk (if you want to run more than one os), or use fdisk either on the install disk (*nix version) or in dos (not the best way) to wipe all the data on the disk.

If you are dual booting, you're gonna have to partition your disk more than once, because you will have to make a distinct space for all your os's (e.g. with win and linux, one part for win, and one for linux), then you will have to partition the linux partition again, to split it up into the separate filesystems needed by your dist. (usually /, SWAP and /boot...just depends on the dist). You'll get that info in the install help.

Also, gore, it seems a bit misleading when you're quoting prices for dists, because you only buy them if you either can't download them, or you don't want the hassle, and want a boxed set. All linux distributions are free, and it just seemed like you were saying that you had to buy it. IMO anyhow.

Thanks

Mandrake 9.1 (9.2 is due soon). It has to be one of the easiest distro's on which to learn linux.
Everything has a GUI config tool thats easy to find and use.

RH9 was dismal in this respect. There will be people who will argue against configuring via a GUI, as bugs in the code will not configure stuff properly. I reckon thats all part of learning Linux, when you've configured something you think you got it right and the GUI config stuffs it up, solving the problem is how you learn how to fix stuff. You will be saying AAAHHHHH!!! a lot. As well as AAARRRGGGHHH!! Eventually you'll be configuring and using the command line more often than not.

How you get your hands on a copy of linux will also sway your prefference too. If you're on cable and know of a local mirror, you'll get the 3 install cd's in about 1hr. If you're on dial up try something like knoppix which is run off a cd-rom, ie: no installation and only 1 (8hr download) cd to burn.

I've learnt a lot from mandrake despite (and because of) its bugs. I hardly ever go into my RH9 partition. And get to as many linux forums as you can too.

And last piece (of **** :confused: ) advice is;
install on that old slow box you mentioned, if you can get a network card and maybe a router or something, connect it up to windows and the net, and learn your head off :D .