Software :: Ubuntu For Ham Radio Install

I have an old, 8 gig hard drive that still works. I think it has a distro of some linux on it. The only working computer I have is my old 1.2 gig(IWILL) with one GIG of P-133 ram. I have WIN 2k Pro installed on the 37 gig hard drive. When I hook the 8 gig up as a "slave", input the data into the BIOS, the computer doesn't recognize the "D" (8 gig) drive.Now, I'd like to get the computer to "see" the "D" drive and to figure out a way to download the latest Ubuntu version on to the drive. It's not necessary to dual-boot the drive, as I would only hook up the WIN drive and take the Linux drive out.

Now, I'm not the brightest crayola in the box. I'd like to be able to figure out a way to access my M$ Excel spreadsheets, I use for frequency databases (for Part 90 frequencies) during severe weather outbreaks. Can some, kind, understanding person help me with this? It seems with the mental gaps, my understander (comprehension) is not working.I can read something and not understand what is written. I'm not asking for pity, just understanding in my challenge.