installing linux for the first time

[Bajanine]

Sure it is possible, but it is easier to just install Linux without removing the other hard drive. And let Grub or Lilo be your boot manager.

I would also recommend Fedora Core, very easy installation.

[Micko]

Ok, but I found this:

"Install GRUB on the first sector of the /boot partition. DO NOT INSTALL IT ON THE MBR!.
If you are performing the Red Hat installation, for the "Boot Loader Installation" screen:
Select "Use GRUB as the boot loader"
Select Install Boot Loader record on "...First sector of boot partition".
After finishing the Red Hat installation, reboot into Linux. If you don't have a boot disk, try booting in linux rescue mode "

If I don't remove first hard disk (with Windows XP) there is a chance I'll screw something with boot sector and lost data.

I found this also

" If you have multiple hard drives (disks), /boot must be on the same hard drive (probably the first hard drive) that has the Windows boot loader (NTLDR) on the MBR. "

and there's something about shrinking partitions for creating /boot. I want to bypass that to reduce risk of loosing data.
Shrinking:"
Here are some options for where to create /boot partition.

(What I did) Shrink the Windows partition such that there is 50 MB of unused disk space at the beginning of the drive and lots of space after the Windows partition. You can install the /boot Linux partition in this first 50 MB and avoid any potential issues with the 1024-cylinder limit entirely.
Shrink the Windows partition such that it does not cross the 1024 cylinder (~8.5 GB), and install the /boot partition right after the Windows partition.
Use LBA (Logical Block Addressing). LBA allows you to boot beyond the 1024 cylinder. In order to use LBA, your BIOS must support it. In addition, for LILO, you must also add a flag to enable LBA support. GRUB supports LBA "out-of-the-box"
"
I didn't toyed with partitioning before and I'm afraid to try this.

"