Well Linux ships with something called DM which lets you encrypt an entire partition so that in order to even boot the operating system you have to have a password, I found a similar utility for Windows (not bitlocker since I don't have Vista Ultimate, otherwise it'd be a moot point). This utility will encrypt the entire disk and it's contents then I can install Linux again on a separate partition with it's own encryption for extra protection.
I'm not doing anything illegal or weird (no I'm not downloading lemonparty videos). I'm just trying to learn more about security and encryption software so I can add it to my resume.
If you want to play with it,
www.truecrypt.org I believe will let you create "containers" .. that are encrypted, you won't have a fully encrypted disk but you can store stuff in the container that nobody will have access to but you.