General :: Possible To Use Linux As OS On PC?

I am working on a friend's computer for which he "lost" the operating system. This friend has very little extra money right now, so my classmate suggested I try loading Linux on my friend's PC.I am wondering if it will work. The PC is a Compaq Presario SR5610F with an AMD processor. I have been told that Linux doesn't care much for AMD.Does anybody know if it will be possible to use Linux as an OS on this PC?I'm looking for a cheap(er) alternative than Windows. Friend is balking at Windows 7. The machine had Vista loaded in it when purchased, then the son loaded XP on it, without removing Vista. They have been having issues with crashing for some time now. The recovery disks are supposed to have XP on them, but I don't think that is so, and when I tried running those disks, the computer balked. I finally worked around and got XP to install, using a disk from an old computer, but the code would not work, and nobody could remember the computer's password and user name.I want to start fresh with this machine, and install a basic, working OS. Am leary about XP on eBay or some such, but they really don't have the funds to purchase anything over $100.00.