Hello Paul,
If you want to have a linux user-friendly distribution, I would suggest you to use Ubuntu desktop. as it has a graphical user interface which it will allow you to work in windows based environment, thanks to the pre-installed nxclient server:
http://help.ovh.co.uk/UbuntuDeskGeneralities
Another option could be to install 1 of 2 OVH's release. This releases are prepared by OVH and they are supposed to be for the customers that do not want to install or update any packages, but they want only to be able to see their website up and running in a couple of clicks. This is possible thanks to the fact that the essential packages are already pre-installed ( Apache, email server, PHP, MySQL, webmin ) together with the OVH's module OVHM. You need to know as well that if you will update some packages like mysql or apache, they can introduce compatibility issues which could cause your release to work incorrectly. We update our releases with patches and you will simply download the latest one and run it by typing a few simple commands:
http://www.ovh.co.uk/items/distribut.../release_1.xml
http://www.ovh.co.uk/items/distribut.../release_2.xml
http://help.ovh.co.uk/OvhmUserGuide
http://help.ovh.co.uk/ReleasePatch
http://help.ovh.co.uk/ReleasePatchSecurity
You can still re-install at any time from a choice of our linux distributions within your manager by logging into it => click onto your dedicated server => click on services => click on the icon "Reinstall the server" and then select the one you need from the OS list:
http://www.ovh.co.uk/items/distributions_os.xml
If you have still any doubt do not hesitate to contact our support by email to
customersupport@ovh.co.uk or by phone at the number 02072225500, otherwise feel free to post again on our forum.
I hope that helps.