Here is one possibility:
https://www.mepis.org/
It is free.
It can be run off the CD WITHOUT any install, so you can play with it.
You can install it if you like.
It has a graphical front end, and you can get by without learning commands.
Here are some notes I wrote up for my daughters to use Mepis off the CD, in case of hard drive failure:
________________________________________________________________________________
MEPIS 6.0 Cheat Sheet
MEPIS will let most recent computers run a Windows-like interface, with it’s own programs right off the CD without any install, without using the hard drive and without using the Windows that was on the computer.
Use MEPIS if your hard drive has failed, or if Windows on your computer is messed up and not working, or if your computer got a virus or if you just want to try it.
Be advised that MEPIS running off the CD forgets all settings when you power down.
Booting MEPIS 6
Put the CD in your CD drive.
Set your computer to boot from the CD drive.
On Toshiba Satellite laptops, this can be done by repeatedly pressing C on your keyboard as you power up. You will see the Toshiba screen, but no Microsoft Windows screen.
Other computers may already work, or you may need to go into the CMOS or BIOS settings and set the boot sequence to try booting from the CD before the hard drive.
This may involve pressing escape, delete, or a function key repeatedly right after boot to get into the special settings area.
If you see the Windows boot screen, you messed up. Power down and try again.
When you see a selection for Boot Normal Selection, press enter.
When you get to the sign in, choose username: root, and password: root, then log in.
Browser
Click on the globe on the bottom line, near the left.
When Firefox runs, it has no home page. You will have to enter an address on the blank line.
Gaim (Instant Messenger)
Click on the K logo on the extreme lower left.
Choose Internet then Instant Messaging then Gaim.
Click +ADD, enter your screen name, then Save.
Enter your password and sign in.
Look for files on your hard drive
Click on the K logo on the extreme lower left.
Click Find Files/Folders.
Click Browse, then Storage Media, then click on the icon with the number of gigs on your hard drive.
Navigate and select your folder of interest, then click Find to show files.
Current Win XP drives are NTFS, which MEPIS can read but not write.
Enter the password for your wireless card
Click on the K logo on the extreme lower left.
System Configuration/Utilities
System Administration then Mepis Utilities then Network Interfaces.
On Status tab, change each item as required to show Start.
On WIFI tab, enter ESS ID (such as default), check the encryption box, then ascii and your key (such as open777777777). Apply and OK.
On the Status tab, start WLAN0.
Close utilities.
Look at Windows networked computers
Click on the K logo on the extreme lower left.
Network folders
Samba shares
Navigate where you want
Word Processor
Note: Any documents you write will be lost on power down.
Email, print or save to USB thumb drive or floppy first.
To run:
Click on the K logo on the extreme lower left.
Click on Office, then Word Processor.
When done, power down.
Since you are not using the hard drive, it will be fine.
Or, you can:
Click on the K logo on the extreme lower left.
Log off and choose to turn off the computer.