A:Answer No reason it can't!
Since it has a CD/DVD drive, you could install Linux using that. Of course, you probably could use a flash drive to install it as well.
This is a great machine to install Linux on, in my opinion. I'd keep it on a second partition though, just in case you need Windows for something. Up to you, though.
I have this machine but haven't tried Linux on it because it's actually my sister's laptop.