Thanks for the info. Do you remove XP from you hard drive? Or just download Linux and let XP remain idle. I’m very dumb when it comes to computers.
No. I installed Linux Mint along side XP. The Mint version I used for this is Mint 16 Cinnamon. You can get it in 32 or 64 bit versions depending on your PC. If it's an XP machine it's undoubtedly a 32 bit machine.
You get the live/install version. With the disk in the CD/DVD drawer start the PC and go to the start up settings in BIOS (usually F12). Select the CD/DVD drive as your boot drive. If everything's ok, it will boot right into Mint.
Once you know it works ok, click on the "Install Mint" icon on the desk top. It will begin the install process. Select language and time zone. Then it will ask if you want to replace what's on your hard drive or install along side the existing OS. Select the latter. It will then come up with a suggested partitioning of the disk (how much space for XP, how much for Mint). The suggested value is probably ok.
At that point, the installation will finish (be sure you are connected to the internet during this process so you get updates). Eject the disk and you are done.
The next time you start the computer you'll get a screen asking which OS you want to boot into. Very easy.
You can download and burn the install disk or you can just order one from one of the Linux disk vendors. I use osdisc.com. Price is about $6 plus postage.