Make sure you have set the cd or dvd player as the first boot option in the bios, reboot and you're on your way. Most distros are pretty easy these days, it's a matter of putting in the cd and following the prompts. The only tricky part may be where to install the bootloader and the partitioning. Write back and tell what distro and if you installing on the same hard drive as XP (sounds as if you are, and that's fine) or a separate drive and we will be able to give you more help. - Gary