Dive into SharePoint 2010

Install a SharePoint 2010 Sandbox VM
Requirements
View the Microsoft Documentation on:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc262485(office.14,printer).aspx

My Hardware: I used a VMWare Workstation to create a new Virtual Machine on my Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop.
XenServer or Virtual PC will also work.
The important thing to remember is that SP2010 only runs on 64bit operating systems.
If your host is 32bit OS you will have problems to install a 64bit VM. You will need to enable Virtualization Technology in the System Bios.
Check this article for tips.

Please allocate enough system resources to the VM. SP2010 is a hungry BEAST, so allocate 50gb virtual hdd space and at least 6GB ram.
6gb ram is ok but in a production environment will you need at least 8gb!!

Ok...ready to rumble..now install the software...

My Software:
Windows 2008 64 bit mode.
  
Download and Install the following software:

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP1
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=166490
or
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP3
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=166496

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard SP2
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=166500
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
 http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=131037
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Edition Service Pack 1 http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=166503
Microsoft "Geneva" Framework
 http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=165752
Microsoft Sync Framework v1.0
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=141237&clcid=0x409
Microsoft Filter Pack 2.0
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=166504
Microsoft Chart Controls for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=141512
Windows PowerShell 2.0 CTP3
 http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=165758
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Native Client
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=166505
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services ADOMD.NET http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=130651
Microsoft Silverlight 3.0
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=166506
ADO.NET Data Services v1.5 CTP2 for Windows Server 2008 SP2 http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=158354
or
ADO.NET Data Services v1.5 CTP2 for Windows Server 2008 R2
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=159780

Okey.,... everything should now be in place !!!!

The first encounter with SP2010 is when you run the install wizard... and I was already impressed with the SP2010 Preparation Toolwhich show you if you had missed installation of any of the required software. (or if you have the wrong version in place)

Make use of the resources included in the "Prepare" section of the install wizard to ensure you familiarize yourself with the technical know-hows...

The installation Wizard will take you through a series of steps required to install .. please stick to "Single Server" installation and allow the configuration wizard to execute as normal.

After the install ...the Central Admin will open and allow you to create your first web app.
....after completing that step... you will have ... drums rolling...your first SP2010 Central Admin site up and running !!! Cool Bananas !

From here you can create new web apps, site collections and sites....

Enjoy !