Linux as a virtual machine on Windows

[Bruce Corbin]

Hi,

I have been assigned the task of writing the following OS installation 
procedures:

1&2) Linux only (Ubuntu & Fedora 6)
3) Win XP only
4&5) dual boot (XP/Ubuntu &XP/Fedora 6)
6&7) Linux (Ubuntu & Fedora 6) emulating Windows (Wine?)
8&9) Windows with Linux running as a Virtual Machine.

I'm not actually a computer guy.  I don't play one on TV.  I didn't even 
stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.  But, I am the one that takes 
the "useless" old and slow Windows boxes and makes very useful Linux 
based test equipment out of them.  Thus, I got the task.

I have never actually installed Fedora, but I assume that between 
tutorials and my Debian/Ubuntu experience I can probably figure it out.  
Previous (failed) attempts to install RPMs on boxes set up by someone 
else have made me a big fan of Debian/Ubuntu.

I have done XP installs and dual boot Ubuntu installs.  Any links to 
good tutorials would be appreciated since I haven't done it in over a 
year, but I don't have much doubt that I, with a little Googling, can do 
a dual boot in two or three tries.

I have never attempted to use or install Wine.  I can Google it and 
probably muddle through it.  Any suggestions, links, tales of problems, 
etc would be appreciated.  Is Wine my only choice?  Is it the best choice?

The last item is where I am really hoping for some help.  Over the years 
I have heard "virtual machine" so many  times that I have no doubt that 
I can Google up a year or two of reading.  I don't have a year or two to 
devote to it.  Any suggestions on packages to use to run Linux as a 
virtual machine on Windows XP?  A few years ago I attempted something 
like this after a segment by Leo Leporte on "The Screen Savers".  I got 
nowhere and I spent several hours doing it.  Also, are there any big 
issues/differences when trying to set one box up for Ubuntu on XP and 
another box for Fedora 6 on XP?

Thanks,
Bruce