Format winxp to unix

i am a newbie to unix
i have an old ibm thinkpad t40 and i want to erase the winxp os and put unix on
do i need a seperate unix os with a distribution or or do i just load the distribution on
if i need a seperate unix os
can someone post a llink to a site where i can get a free copy and load it
thanx

what your unix OS??
I'm using solaris and I can format it when install solaris system (like windows you can format disk as you want)

The majority of Unix systems are "nice" to you. When you attempt to install them, in the presence of another operating system, they'll say (each in his own way):

"Hey, dude. There is another OS in town. He is sitting on that corner (then gives you partition/slice information, hard drive mapping, and other information) Would you like me to 1- kick him out (delete) or -2- beat'em up a little bit (resize partition/slice) or -3- move in the empty side of town (install on the available free space)

Then asks if you want to 1- let the other OS boot -2- Unix boot manager kicks in and gives you a list of available OS's -3- just boot Unix and forget the other guy.

To get a copy of Unix/Linux, check Rules & FAQ

Good luck