Linux Application Server

I hit a screen with digit HDD’s-
a)160GB IDE (Linux)
b)250GB SATA (Win XP Pro)
How do I attain trusty that the grouping asks for a activity of operative grouping at startup?

Note:I meet bought the 250GB HDD and installed Win XP on it.

I’m mainly wondering a) What is Linux? Is it an operative system? b) If so, crapper I separate it on a 2005 Toshiba? C) I’m a illustrator and whatever of my files are rattling essential to me–will my files be forfeited if I raise to Linux?

I hit both Mandrake UNIX 9.0 and Windows XP Home Edition operative system. But I can’t unstoppered the Mandrake UNIX because of I can’t start the login (My login is “satria”, but when I enter, it ever shows as “satr5a”, I conceive I hit signaling the criminal keyboard plan when I was instalment it). Unfortunately, the Mandrake UNIX has utilised 10 GB from Windows construction and I can’t unstoppered it to unistall it. So, what should I do? Can I uninstall the Mandrake UNIX from Windows, and how? I establish the UNIX in Toshiba Notebook. Please support me to cipher this problem. Also verify me the travel how to uninstall it.