in this video tutorial it will show you how to run Knoppix(the hackers linux ) on your WinXP operating system using WMware player and a live cd iso.
this will allow you to open a (Virtual Machine, hence VMware) so your able to run linux at your own free will then when your done youre able to just exit VMware player and resume your windows sesion
also by using VMware player if u minimize your VM session lets say cracking a hash it will continue and your able to continue on your Windows doing i dunno posting on the Forums?
Code:
http://www.irongeek.com/videos/vmwareplayerlivecd.swf
Whax.iso(THE ULTIMATE LINUX DISTRO FOR HACKERS)
Code:
http://ftp.caliu.info/pub/distribucions/distribucions-live-cd/whax/whax-3.0-200705.iso