socket A is a processor socket that was used during the Athlon XP/Duron/Sempron. So yes, and Athlon XP Will work.
I had a socket 462 machine, and I started with a Duron, then a Sempron, and finally an Athlon 3200+ and it was a grand machine. I think you paid too much for it. Pawn shops are worthless for finding good deals. That machine can be had off of craigslist for maybe $60 tops