There's a much easier solution here.

There's a file called Windows-Xp "Lite", which is a stripped-bare version of xp. The graphics, sounds, etc.. everything loads up from drivers and is based on your hardware configs, but you avoid all the clutter winxp brings. No virus scans, no startup programs, not even a registration key while you're installing it. (that's right, you pay NOTHING and you never will). This is WAY better than a live-cd linux, because here you can actually store things, and retrieve them reliably, and you don't have to make the switch from windows to linux. It's a free download, it's an iso image, and it works.

I can't quite remember where I downloaded it (Marijuana effects the memory) but I will find it soon, if someone else doesn't first.