If you ever wanted to check out Linux but didn't want to go thru the hassles of partitioning / format... (not that there is much hassle anymore)
The answer to this problem is KNOPPIX...
"KNOPPIX is a bootable CD with a collection of GNU/Linux software, automatic hardware detection, and support for many graphics cards, sound cards, SCSI and USB devices and other peripherals. KNOPPIX can be used as a Linux demo, educational CD, rescue system, or adapted and used as a platform for commercial software product demos. It is not necessary to install anything on a hard disk. Due to on-the-fly decompression, the CD can have up to 2 GB of executable software installed on it."
http://www.knoppix.netthis software is especially useful for dead or malfuctioning pc's by giving a clean boot OS.....
for the security professional I recommend.
http://www.knoppix-std.org/ distro
enjoy
DoctorYo
