Installing Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat on Windows-7 thru VMWare player. Don't use MS Virtual PC OR VirtualBox. VMPlayer supports most of the peripherals.
Ubuntu installation:
http://www.sysprobs.com/install-ubuntu-1010-vmware-playerworkstation-working-vmware-tools
Change hostname:
http://www.liberiangeek.net/2010/08/change-hostname-ubuntu-10-10-maverick-meerkat/
Install LAMP development env:
http://www.unixmen.com/linux-distributions/4-ubuntu/1239-install-lamp-with-1-command-in-ubuntu-1010-maverick-meerkat