Virtual Machine software won't work (Ubuntu 8.04 x64, RC)

[Lino]

I recently installed Ubuntu x64 8.04 RC edition, I want to install virtual software as I need a few applications to run in Windows XP.

No matter what application I use, or what settings I use.. Vmware Server, Virtual Box. Nothing will work... Qemu is also a disaster I am desperate and need a virtual machine software

Vmware will not get to the point where I can enter a serial and will not even start when clicking on the icon.. Virtual Box complains that I do not have correct privileges for it to start the virtual machine.

Even if I can install Vmware player/workstation anything,,

Any help

 

[chiskop]

Virtual Box complains that I do not have correct privileges for it to start the virtual machine.

Make sure that your user account is a member of the vboxusers group. Go System > Administration > Users and Groups > Groups. Scroll down to vboxusers and click properties, make sure your user is checked. (You may need to logout and back in for the changes to be effected, can't remember).

BTW, isn't there a virtualisation manager already in there?

Virtualization

KVM is now a fully maintained option for virtualization, and libvirt and virt-manager have also been integrated in Ubuntu, allowing for easy guest creation and basic management of virtual machines out of the box. Virt-manager can be used to administer guests on a remote server.

The kernel also includes virtio, greatly improving I/O performance in guests.

 

[Lino]

Make sure that your user account is a member of the vboxusers group. Go System > Administration > Users and Groups > Groups. Scroll down to vboxusers and click properties, make sure your user is checked. (You may need to logout and back in for the changes to be effected, can't remember).

BTW, isn't there a virtualisation manager already in there?

Hey thanks, will try that with Vbox.... The virtual manager already in Ubuntu I can't get to work for some reason. Even googled around but nothing

 

[chiskop]

Okay, if that doesn't work try the innotek forums - they've very helpful in there. But I'm pretty sure that that's your problem with vbox.

 

[Lino]

Okay, if that doesn't work try the innotek forums - they've very helpful in there. But I'm pretty sure that that's your problem with vbox.

Thanks, gonna reboot and try it now... Although to be honest I really wish that frikken Vmware Server would work. By looks of things many people are having problems with it.

 

[.Froot.]

Try the following for Virtualbox (i dunno if it's gonna work with Vmware this way because of the serial, it might just, though)

1: Go to your console and type in "sudo passwd root" <enter> and then type in your new root password and then confirm.
2: Log out of Linux and when you are at the login screen, go to the options at the bottom and select "console login". log in as root with your new password.
3: When logged in, (you will be logged into the console) you can do one of two things: either stay in the console and install it that way, or you can start the xserver with "startx".
3.1: type "apt-get install virtualbox" (or whatever the fullname is for virtualbox) (try it with vmware-server too). This should be able to install it.
3.2: "startx" will start your windows manager and x-server so you will be back in a GUI linux, but under the root login. ("so be careful not to do something dangerous"). Go to adept manager and then install vmware-server or virtualbox from there.

 

[chiskop]

Try the following for Virtualbox (i dunno if it's gonna work with Vmware this way because of the serial, it might just, though)

1: Go to your console and type in "sudo passwd root" <enter> and then type in your new root password and then confirm.
2: Log out of Linux and when you are at the login screen, go to the options at the bottom and select "console login". log in as root with your new password.
3: When logged in, (you will be logged into the console) you can do one of two things: either stay in the console and install it that way, or you can start the xserver with "startx".
3.1: type "apt-get install virtualbox" (or whatever the fullname is for virtualbox) (try it with vmware-server too). This should be able to install it.
3.2: "startx" will start your windows manager and x-server so you will be back in a GUI linux, but under the root login. ("so be careful not to do something dangerous"). Go to adept manager and then install vmware-server or virtualbox from there.

Unless you have a particular need to create a root account there's no need to do this. Just add your user to the vboxusers group.

froot, you're using a sledgehammer when all he needs is a screwdriver.

 

[Lino]

Gonna have to reinstall Ubuntu later so will try the advice later installing Virtual Box. Quick question does Virtual Box have USB support>?

 

[chiskop]

Quick question does Virtual Box have USB support>?

Yes, but make sure that you get the deb from the innotek website (not the one in the repositories). The version in the repos is an OSS version, and misses some features, like USB.

 

[.Froot.]

VirtualBox works wonderfully, has USB support (it is a lot like VMware) but I find that it is a little slower than VMware. The nice thing however is that it supports up to 128MB VRAM, whereas VMware only supports up to 8MB VRAM before you have to tweak it to get more.

 

[Lino]

VirtualBox works wonderfully, has USB support (it is a lot like VMware) but I find that it is a little slower than VMware. The nice thing however is that it supports up to 128MB VRAM, whereas VMware only supports up to 8MB VRAM before you have to tweak it to get more.

Good to know, will I be able to share files between a real hard disk like I can with Vmware?

 

[.Froot.]

Good to know, will I be able to share files between a real hard disk like I can with Vmware?

In a manner of speaking. Yes. You can create a "network drive" which will be linked to somewhere inside your home folder. I use my desktop as a shared folder and then copy whatever I need to and from the Desktop or a folder inside it.

 

[chiskop]

^^ Yes, I do similar do what froot has suggested. In order to map a virtual drive, you'll need to install the vboxadditions [dammit, not in ubuntu atm, will have to look for the exact location when I'm back at my computer a little later.]

 

[.Froot.]

^^ Yes, I do similar do what froot has suggested. In order to map a virtual drive, you'll need to install the vboxadditions [dammit, not in ubuntu atm, will have to look for the exact location when I'm back at my computer a little later.]

In the menu in the VirtualBox PC (Not the main window, but rather the one that opens when you start a machine) there is a Devices--> Install Guest Additions link. this will install inside the virtual machine. Just follow the prompts like as in any Windows installer.

 

[Lino]

Wow guys thanks for all this info, one last question (for now at least) can I use a Vmware made virtual machine in Virtual Box or do I have to create one from scratch?

 

[.Froot.]

I don't think you can swap them. It's worth checking though.

 

[chiskop]

Wow guys thanks for all this info, one last question (for now at least) can I use a Vmware made virtual machine in Virtual Box or do I have to create one from scratch?

Look on the innotek forums - there are some howtos there that may cover what you're looking for, not sure how practical/easy it is though.

 

[Lino]

Thanks guys will do, if I have to reinstall the os its not a train smash

 

[Lino]

Guys THANK YOU SO MUCH! I got Virtual Box working like a charm, busy installing Windows XP...