You can re-partition a hard drive to install Linux, if you have enough free space, but it would be easier (and safer) to just run it from a CD ( LiveCD List ). If download size isn't a problem, Ubuntu's Live CD would probably be the easiest option (user friendly and good hardware support). You pretty much only need a media player, browser and perhaps a few games to try to replicate the problem, so a smaller Linux version should work. I've seen a couple favourable mentions of Puppy Linux, but have not tried it.