http://www.linux.org/docs/beginner/index.html

You should find some basic Q&A there.

I'd suggest Mandriva Linux for a first Linux installation, it's close to Windows in a few things, will probably be a good start for you.

There are also other 'newbie friendly' distributions like e.g. Fedora, Ubuntu, SUSE, ..., but I disliked these even more than I did Madriva. It was my first one I've installed, and I'm happy I've started with this one (it was called Mandrake back then).
I use Arch Linux now, but you wouldn't like it at all ATM, I think.

For others: DON'T start a flamewar here! At least I didn't mean to.