I got the bootable CD from www.mepis.com for $14.00 and you can try this great version of Linux on your windows box without loading it on your hard drive.
Have any of you folks looked at this great OS?
It is fantastic and I was able to open up a hard drive that Microsoft anti-spyware ruined, there was a known conflict with M$ anti-spyware and install shield that rendered the FAT useless, MEPIS was able to read the drive but Windows could not.
They also have a help forum over there for all of you that need more details.