Which Linux Distribution Should I Use On A Computer That Used To Run Windows Vista

When it starts ups it checks the DVD/CD before trying to boot. Boot up from the C drive does not go far. It asks for my backup. My backup was an external hard drive. That hard drive apparently has a bad sector and will not completely load to my computer.

Long story short, there is no data on the computer I care about. I want to turn the whole machine into a Linux machine. I am trying to figure out which Linux to use. I would appreciate any help.

Thank you very much!