If you want to test out vbulletin at home a few things you need are a server(i use apache)php can get it from
www.php.net they have it in binary or a windows package.Visit these 2 sites
www.apache.org
www.php.net
they have everything your looking for and instructions on how to set it up.you also need a mysql server set up as well
www.mysql.com
i would suggest getting mysql admin its a win32 program for managing your mysql databases.all this will work on any windows platform.they have different packages for win9x and win me 200 xp ect.... just get the right ones for your system