windows or ubuntu?

I am having problems with my XBMC system. I am going to have to either re-install XP PRO or abandon windows and move the machine to ubuntu (linux and my choice). I also may have some problem with XP due to the fact that I am running with 2, 1tb hard drives which XP doesn't handle as well as it should and I assume that Ubuntu would probably do a better job. I would aos prefer to not spend the money on windows 7 (which will handle tb drives easily).

I thought I would ask the question here in the hopes that I can get some good advice.

Thank you.........