Shazbot wrote:

> Will try installing one of these systems very soon, the choice seems to be
> either redhat or mandrake
>
> As a complete beginner to Linux (never even seen it) which would be the
> appropiate for me

Both about the same

> The other question how do I boot from one OS or the other while the XP
> will be on one drive and linux on the other

The installer should set up a boot manager that will prompt you when you
turn the PC on.

--
David Dorward http://dorward.me.uk/