Installation steps:
- Install Windows Server 2003 plus IIS from Additional Components
- Install SQL Server 2005 + Service Pack 3
- Install .NET Framework 3.5
- Install SharePoint 2007
- Configure servers
- Configure services
- Configure shared services provider
- Create a top level site, do not pick '/sites' from the dropdownlistbox. Pick '/' instead to create a top level site so when you type in the url of the web server 'http://myserver' this should bring up your top site.
- Install Visual Studio 2010 but first make sure you have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed on your server.