First, download a copy of Partition Magic and make a linux ex3 partition on your hd.

Second, if you are using dial-up, obtain an EXTERNAL modem that will be very easy to
set up in any linux distro.

I have a lousy intel winmodem on two computers and they are very inefficient besides being
made to work on windows alone anyhow. This is why I purchased and use an external modem. There are drivers that you can dl from intel for
this but for a beginner like yourself I would do the above. Hope this helps.

pgk