I think you mean do all this on a >spare computer am I right? I don't know about you but I don't like having to spend a day re-installing OSs & tools that I need to complete a graded assignment for teh next day. HIs computer will be teh most important asset he will have to get him through his course of study- he does'nt need to go messing it up, especially not intentionally. You can pick up little cheap machines anywhere - I got 1 for a tenner at the skip.