HD Install :: HD within Windows also as Linux Debian install

I am a Newbee to DSL Now downloading dsl-2.0.iso (47.8MB) on slow IP connection. Hope this is the right iso. I want to boot it and run it within XP Pro (concurrently to Windows operation) where I am also running Cygwin concurrently. I want to be able to have this DSL's file on the D_drv while running it on the C_drv. I tried same thing with Topologilinux (v5) as a live CD within XP Pro but it crashed during installation in both the Windows and Boot installs (screwed up my LAN set up with static IPs and boot sector and other stuff - forcing me to RESTORE the XP backup) so I thought DSL might be worth trying in this XP Pro context. Also, I want to create a Debian install (heavy on servers) from this same DSL having it do the installation in a file on the D_drive. For networking I want to use the same network assignments (IP address, domain, host name, etc) as currently used by XP so they would be shared -- unless new assignments don't affect the existing assignments? In other words, I have an existing LAN network (static IP Host lookup) setup I don't want disturbed -- which is what Topologilinux did disturb because it wanted to reconfigure the XP Pro setup menus. I am Looking for comments and advice. In next message I will cover the next part. There are several parts: a distinct Linux distribution on it's own machine, and Virtualization usage,  BTW-what is an "iB" code button?