I was wondering how I could set up a virtual machine running Linux in Windows? thanks

The easiest way would be to download VMWare Player for Windows and download one of the preinstalled Virtual Appliances.

nah, just create on for free with http://petruska.stardock.net/software/VMware/index.html

I haven't used vmware. But I think it's not free.
You can try opensource, very good one 'qemu'.
http://qemu.org

Use VMplayer, and yes it is free as in beer.
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/
The Browser Appliance is actual Ubuntu , you can use it or one of the community built appliances. It is even possible to use a LiveCD ISO.

Or you can use
http://www.easyvmx.com/mainindex.shtml
to create your vmx and other files.


I have PCLinuxOS,PC-BSD, and Fedora Core5 set up and able to run from inside winXP.

I have also ran XP from inside PCLinuxOS. The VMWare forum is a great place to go if you need help.

Just as craigevil and others have said you can d/l the Player and a ready made vm for free. Another route is to use quemu for Windows to make a virtual disk, use notepad to edit a config file(you can find plenty of samples on the net)and an iso image. It takes a little more effort but I think using a LiveCD from your cdrom is a good learning experience. One nice benefit of using a vm is that Player handles the hardware interface and it is easier to set up web access. For instance my Knoppix 3.7 easily uses my DWL-122 usb wireless adapter both as a LiveCD, as a h/d install, and as a vm. Debian Sarge on the other hand is a different story since I haven't learned how install the adapter (YET). A Sarge vm uses it at installation. Nice!