ALso if you want to try Ubuntu the operating system will run off of the cd/dvd you dont even need to install it so you can play with it without upsetting your present status (windows ) to do that you need to change the bios on your machine to boot from cd , this is usually done by pressing the Del key when your machine boots up and finding the settings for boot sequence and then saving the setting as advised sometimes press F10 and answering yes.