I have been running windows XP now for a while and it is annoying, most of my memory is gone before I even start and the damn thing is too unstable to boot.

I want to try Linux on a live CD before eventually getting it fully installed one day, what version do people recommend?

In my opinion, Ubuntu, is the best out there so far.

I'd recommend you read through this thread here on Sals. Should help you a bunch, I can recommend a few off the top of my head;

Fedora
Xandros
Ubuntu variants.

Ubuntu is a great OS (currently running Ubuntu 64), It takes a little getting used to but it does everything i want it too really well. Before moving to linux though take this in - Drivers aren't as good as XP. Common culprits are graphics cards/ Sound cards/ modems may not work or won't work as effectively.

I haven't used linux that much but I liked Ubuntu alot.

Fedora probably came in second.

Fedora - Business
Mint/Ubuntu - Home

I'd say Ubuntu or Linux Mint. Ubuntu because there are a lot of people using it which means more support, but in my opinion, Linux Mint has a nicer GUI which is fun to use. Ubuntu and Linux Mint can run the same applications, too.

~Knight Haleth

Out of Ubuntu is many sprouts too...
Xubuntu = Minimal system -Not recomended
Kubuntu = Just another environment from Ubuntu (dont know so much about this one)
edubuntu = I realy dont recomend this one! its for schools the most!
Studio =If your work with movies this is perfect, cool interface too, but not handy as home PC.
Gobuntu = Its containing ONLY free software.

Most nVidia graphics cards are supported--though many ATI graphics cards are still not supported. Upon last check, there are no Linux drivers for ATI's HD3000 series of graphics cards.

Ubuntu worked pretty well for me, I installed it to experiment but found that i couldn't install any software on ubuntu due to my wireless adapter having no linux drivers & unable to connect via ethernet due to distance

Thats the only problem i had with my Unbutu installation, Onboard graphics worked fine, Sound card worked perfect.
Ubuntu is neat, simple to use So i'd definately reccomend it!

I would recommend that you should get Ubuntu 7.10 rather that one of the other environments to start

Please do not bump old topics. It is against the rules.