I see.
You could always install a linux onto an USB stick from another USB stick while using the EeePC for example.
You could probably install it onto the harddrive but i get the impression you want to keep even that old Windows intact 
Nicely explained here:
Anyone working with the new x86 Raspbian - #232 by abcd567
That way you could use the EeePC for your piaware needs without any VM problems.
(Could well be that the WiFi will not work but maybe you have some ethernet cable)