Buddy, if you are planning to install linux then I would suggest back up your entire hard drive when u have the chance. By the looks of it, it seems that you haven't installed it before, so I wrong step while partition and you'll screw up the hard drive.
If you are bold enough and have the time, start experimenting yourself, you'll learn a lot. Try to pick up the basics from the net, and start the practicals. I am not a guru at linux, but I tried it before, its fun, but rem' back your data.
:hap2: :hap2: