I spent a good deal of time working to gets Xorg configured the other day.
I re-installed Etch after seeing what it was like to attempt a sarge 2.6 kernel install.
Etch recognized my NIC right away so atleast I didn't have to configure my network.
I began using apt-get to gather all the needed tools but found that aptitude worked better at gathering all the pieces parts, libraries, dev kits, kernel items and such.
I searched to make sure what items were needed using my other laptop, background knowledge and the various items gleaned from the orielly safari books, Linux Cook Book and Learn Debian.
Once I had the libraries installed I ran the NVIDIA tool and it installed the drivers beautifully and compiled the kernel I needed to run it.
Once the Nvidia eye popped up I was good to go.
I then proceeded to install Parallels Virtualization free trial.
I spent the rest of the time attempting to burn an ISO image of my Windows drive to try and load it without going from scratch.
I didn't figure it out so now, while typing this, I'm installing from the CD and will attempt to use my Acronis 9 to build my virtual system.
I'll have to sit down and put my proceedures to paper later so I have a record of how I got to this point.