(SOLVED!) First time to install VirtualBox and running into some problems

[Cressida]

I used "GETvirtualbox" from Synaptic to install VirtualBox.   The install went OK and then I loaded Win XP from my CD so now I think I have what everyone calls a Virtual Machine (VM) running Win XP (Does that make XP the Guest under my PCLOS which is called the host - Is that the correct terminology ?)  

I was not able to get an internet connection from within the XP on the VM.  I want to connect so I can do the updates to XP and also to download a couple of applications that do not work within PCL.   The Win XP  VM  is showing the network as follows:
 
Network:  Adapter 1:  PCnet-FAST III (NAT)

I assume that is the auto default set up but how do I get it to connect?    

I've read that the default s/be "enable NAT networking in the VirtualBox settings".   It doesn't seem to allow one to open the "settings" tab for changes anyway.

If I get an internet connection is there anything wrong with downloading and using Firefox within the VM and use that for the browser?  

Also I don't have any shared folders and from reading it appears that I will want the ability to share folders.  How do I set it up for sharing of folders ?

I don't mind deleting and starting another fresh installation of VirtualBox if it would be easier.  I did follow the instructions on the Wiki and PCL magazine and it was easy enough to install.  I guess now the headaches begin.

[YouCanToo]

I used "GETvirtualbox" from Synaptic to install VirtualBox.   The install went OK and then I loaded Win XP from my CD so now I think I have what everyone calls a Virtual Machine (VM) running Win XP (Does that make XP the Guest under my PCLOS which is called the host - Is that the correct terminology ?) 

Yes, Windows is the guest and Linux would be the host

I was not able to get an internet connection from within the XP on the VM.  I want to connect so I can do the updates to XP and also to download a couple of applications that do not work within PCL.   The Win XP  VM  is showing the network as follows:
 
Network:  Adapter 1:  PCnet-FAST III (NAT)

I assume that is the auto default set up but how do I get it to connect? 

VirtualBox set mine up automatically  

I've read that the default s/be "enable NAT networking in the VirtualBox settings".   It doesn't seem to allow one to open the "settings" tab for changes anyway.

If I get an internet connection is there anything wrong with downloading and using Firefox within the VM and use that for the browser?

Shouldn't be, but realize that you still will need antivirus, adware and spyware programs running as you can still get all those nasties running VBox(Windows) live on the web   

Also I don't have any shared folders and from reading it appears that I will want the ability to share folders.  How do I set it up for sharing of folders ?

Setup the shared path in VirtualBox and than from a command windows in Windows you will need to execute

net use x: vboxsvcr\\path\to\shared\folder

This will assign X as your new device to access the shared folder.

I don't mind deleting and starting another fresh installation of VirtualBox if it would be easier.  I did follow the instructions on the Wiki and PCL magazine and it was easy enough to install.  I guess now the headaches begin.

[rubentje1991]

I was not able to get an internet connection from within the XP on the VM.  I want to connect so I can do the updates to XP and also to download a couple of applications that do not work within PCL.   The Win XP  VM  is showing the network as follows:
 

Did you install the guest-additions for Windows in your XP-guest?
=> they are co-delivered with the installation, you just have to say to virtualbox, to mount that ISO for XP, and then you can install vbox-additions....
Normally, they have in that ISO the right drivers etc for XP....

[Cressida]

I was not able to get an internet connection from within the XP on the VM.  I want to connect so I can do the updates to XP and also to download a couple of applications that do not work within PCL.   The Win XP  VM  is showing the network as follows:
 

Did you install the guest-additions for Windows in your XP-guest?
=> they are co-delivered with the installation, you just have to say to virtualbox, to mount that ISO for XP, and then you can install vbox-additions....
Normally, they have in that ISO the right drivers etc for XP....

No I didn't install the guest-additions.   However since you mentioned it I downloaded the guest-additions from Synaptic even though I didn't think I should have to.   How in the world are you suppose to say to VB to mount an ISO for XP?   I sure haven't read anything about doing that.

Thank you rubentje1991 for the info on how to share folders but that will have to wait until I get internet connection access working.  

Morning rant...  I buy newer hardware because my old Win XP system could not run PCL-KDE version.  After a week or so I finally get PCL running pretty good - thanks to this forum.  Now I need to figure out how to get VB to work/run so I can run XP in a VM so I can do some of the things I did for years with my old XP system.         It seems like all I am doing is going in a big circle.   I guess at least I am having to learn something new but I'm getting where I just hate to hear my teenager ask "Why can't we just have Windows again?"   Maybe this is all a part of that new stimulus package or something... at least my brain is stimulated .... pass the bottle... time for a morning drink to ease the pain for now.

[rubentje1991]

Open your virtualbox, click on File >> Manager for Virtual Media (I do not have an English installation) >> CD/DVD images >> "Add"
and point there to the right ISO;
If you installed virtualbox with the 'getvirtualbox' script, it's possible the right ISO is already listed there...

When it appears in the list, click OK...
Then start your vm, and click on "Devices" (virtualbox window in which the guest is running) >> CD/DVD >> select there the right thing....

Windows XP will probably autorun the installer ([next][next].....), until it's complete; restart the vm, and it should be available....

More info:
http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch04.html#additions-windows

[Cressida]

Thank you,   following your helpful instructions I think I now have the "Guest Additions" installed via the wizard because after I rebooted there is the Guest Addition information and icon box next to the digital clock at bottom of the Win XP screen.

Still not having any luck getting a connection.  

I have opened the Network Adapters information box and it is showing Adapter 1,  Attached to:  NAT .    I note there is no "Name" in the next box - it is blank.  Does it have to have a "name" to work ?  

Since NAT isn't working I see there are 3 other choices in the drop down box -  Bridged, Internal, and Host-Only Adapters.   I'll keep looking and reading about what these choices might be used for and in the meantime if you or anyone notices any other suggestions please advise.  

I deleted my first VM and added a new one but it didn't change anything and actually picked up my original user XP names so I don't believe it all was deleted.  I was thinking a complete new install from my WinXP CD might be in order to try again?

[YouCanToo]

Perhaps this might help with you network issue.

This is how my networking is setup in VirtualBox





Only Adapter 1 is checked to be active.  In the second window (advanced options) when the correct network card is selected the MAC address is automatically shown.

[Cressida]

Thanks for the comments.... That seems similar to what I am seeing -  the 1st Adapter and cable connected.

I now see that the VB is showing at the very bottom of the screen where the Network Interface Icon is "Cable Connected".    I think that is a good sign and means my VB is connecting to the host like we want but the WinXP VM (guest) that is running in VB is the problem?    

I have run the XP wizard to try and establish the network connection and that is where I have ended up for now with no connection.   From within "Internet Options" > "Connections" > Local Area Network (LAN) Settings,  does one use the "Automatic Configuration" or the  "Proxy Server", or is there some other method I should be exploring?

.....From Chpt 6 of the VB manual :  "Network Address Translation (NAT) is the simplest way of accessing an external network from a virtual machine. Usually, it does not require any configuration on the host network and guest system."    I wish -  

  

[shrinivas]

Thanks for the comments.... That seems similar to what I am seeing -  the 1st Adapter and cable connected.

I now see that the VB is showing at the very bottom of the screen where the Network Interface Icon is "Cable Connected".    I think that is a good sign and means my VB is connecting to the host like we want but the WinXP VM (guest) that is running in VB is the problem?    

I have run the XP wizard to try and establish the network connection and that is where I have ended up for now with no connection.   From within "Internet Options" > "Connections" > Local Area Network (LAN) Settings,  does one use the "Automatic Configuration" or the  "Proxy Server", or is there some other method I should be exploring?

.....From Chpt 6 of the VB manual :  "Network Address Translation (NAT) is the simplest way of accessing an external network from a virtual machine. Usually, it does not require any configuration on the host network and guest system."    I wish -  

  

Yes, it does not require any settings in guest (i.e., WinXp in your case) for the internet connection, it gets automatically connected when the host gets internet. Please reboot Xp and try again. It is a very simple affair. Trial and error will do.

[Cressida]

I never could get it to connect so I deleted the virtual HD and did a reinstall from the Win XP CD. 
This created a new virtual HD and it loaded up and then just connected    .   I couldn't believe it.   

After it was running and I rebooted into it again it showed both the old and new virtual HD and I deleted the old.  The fine tuning continues but it sure feels better when you come out on top of one of these problems.

Thanks for everyone comments and suggestions.