Xp problem installing..

I have an older computer which is xp home.. as I know support is finishing for xp next year , and I am having a lot of trouble installing the previous xp home operating system. seems the cd is scratched or something like that.. can any one tell me how hard is it to install linux on this computer and forget trying to reinstall or get another xp disc.. I have a laptop with vista so using that at the moment , just would like to have the desktop working as its a much larger machine and I like it better than a laptop for some reason.. anyway I think I`d like to have linux on the desktop and experiment a little , if you say its easy I`ll order one from ebay as they are not very expensive there ..
thanks for any answers.. Raine..

 

Zorin OS (free)

 

Welcome to the forum, Raine.

 

If you believe your XP CD is faulty, such as cannot read some file, here is a possible fix. Get Imgburn. Have it create an ISO file of your XP CD, I would then verify it. If OK, then burn the ISO to a new CD.

 

Thanks for all the answers I`ll think about what I`ll do. tell me a little more about that operating system I have never heard of it. thanks for any answers . and also thanks for the welcome James .

 

Much more info here and here.