Multiple questions about xubuntu, please answer!

[cardinals_fan]

If I was to do just a normal install, would it wipe out the data from both partitions, would it install onto one only, or what?

You'll have a number of choices, just like regular Ubuntu. That drive is pretty small, but it can still be chopped into a couple partitions.

What software can be installed onto it? Can openoffice be installed? What about some kind of chatting client which can handle msn chatting?

Xubuntu can use any software Ubuntu can; it accesses the same repositories. You can install OpenOffice easily. Pidgin is included and can handle MSN, and aMSN is another choice available in the repos.

What are the chances of it working through wireless?

I don't know; what's your card?

What are the chances of it working through Ethernet?

Same as above, but more likely.

Finally, what are the chances of it working on this laptop?

Pretty good. Xubuntu is not a very lightweight distro, but you can always lighten it up after installation if it's too heavy. If it actually can't boot (unlikely; that should be enough RAM), you can try the command-line installer on the alternate CD.

[nandemonai]

As a side note, a buddy of mine has a Vaio. His BIOS key is F2.

Try that. He says you gotta mash it a few times as soon as you power up.

[NonStop]

My bro got the DVD drive working through working in the registry (it was more of a windows problem, then), so the possibility of xubuntu is now realised! I don't think I have any questions left now, thanks to everyone that's answered!