If you plenty of hard disk space to devote to Linux you can skip most of these procedures, except the backup. You need to make sure that the data stored in your Master Boot Record is in sync with where is actually located on your hard disk. There is a non-destructive DOS utility for this. Before you run the DOS defragmentation utility, temporarily delete your Windows swap file also. The next time you start Windows, you'll be reminded that the swap file has been corrupted, and asked whether you want to delete the corrupted file - answer yes, and reset your swap file before you do anything else.
Some distributions use more or less floppies for the installation, so make adjustments accordingly.
Label this first floppy Emergency DOS Boot , and date. Label this diskette Bootdisk and date. Label this diskette Rootdisk and date. Label this diskette FIPS , and date. Copy this to the floppy disk, but do not delete the original on your hard disk.