It's a long and messy story, but I do believe PCLinuxOS 2011.6 was the easiest Install I've had as yet. ( Just been 'fiddling' with PCLOS about three years, along with XP)
I bungled; (what an interesting word

) both my WinXP and PCLinuxOS installations. (Wasn't well at the time, uhum.

)
I no longer use any OS starting with a 'W', which has /is /will continue to be a great experience !
Asking for help is such a great idea when there's such helpful people here at the Forum

Grateful PCLinuxOS 2011.6 MiniMe, and LXDE mini User.
It's just so much fun !
Seriously now; Hardware and Software have to like each other for these Computers to work.