What I'd like to do is boot Linux and be able to run Windows virtual. But this laptop has Windows 7 already installed, and they don't provide install media.

VirtualBox forums indicate this should be possible. I've already installed VMWare player and an Ubuntu guest, but haven't done any work yet so I can burn that down. Next up is to install Ubuntu in a typical dual-boot setup. Then boot to Ubuntu and install VirtualBox. Then try to mount the Windows partition and boot it.