SOLVED - Small problem installing Vbox

[Maurice]

I placed this message in the Virtual Machines forum but there seems to be little activity there so I've taken the liberty of putting it here. The question is a generic one anyway. Hope you mods don't mind.


I am installing Window XP in a VirtualBox in my Minime and have got to the final stage where it asks for 'host, device file' with 'the correct drive letter (or, in the case of a Linux host, device file)'.

Which is where I'm lost. Huh What is this device file?

Many thanks

[AS]

I have done quite a few installations in virtualbox, both using windows and linux, but can't understand the context.
Can you post the exact question it has been asked ?

AS

[menotu]

I have done quite a few installations in virtualbox, both using windows and linux, but can't understand the context.
Can you post the exact question it has been asked ?

AS

+1

Where in the process does it occur ? 

Are you using a Host Drive (i.e the CD/DVD Drive containing the Windows CD) and has XP been installed (successfully) onto the VBox virtual hard drive?

[Maurice]

I have done quite a few installations in virtualbox, both using windows and linux, but can't understand the context.
Can you post the exact question it has been asked ?

AS

+1

Where in the process does it occur ? 

Are you using a Host Drive (i.e the CD/DVD Drive containing the Windows CD) and has XP been installed (successfully) onto the VBox virtual hard drive?

That was the exact question.

Yes I am using a Host Drive and no it hasn't yet been installed - that is what I was trying to do when I got stumped with this Host Drive thing.

It appeared at the very end of inputting all the info requested and then pressing the Start button in VBox. What happens next is the process of importing all the stuff from Windows XP in the dvd.

Unfortunately, when I tried to repeat it, something flashed at the top of the screen for a nano second and then disappeared. And nothing more...

If I then go back to the VBox which shows all the settings I click on Storage and that gets me back to this page which asks for the Host Drive.

Sorry - it's a little difficult to describe But if you open the VBox initial screen you can check on the Storage and that might help,

I am at the final part where it wants to import files from the XP disk.

I did it successfully last year but lost it in an upgrade.

Thanks for the help - I'm off to bed now so there will be a delay in replyimg.

[menotu]

Hi Maurice

I thought that's what it may of been.

VBox doesn't actually import the XP files - it installs in the same way it does on a "normal" HD - directly to the VBox drive.

Make sure the XP CD is in the main drive and from:

VBox > Settings > Storage - choose the Host Drive (see image)



Note - in the image above you'll see (under the Storage Tree area) that it has an IDE Controller

You may not have one visible therefore press one of the green + signs within the Storage area and select
Add IDE Controller (see image)  You will then be able to add your Host Drive

[Maurice]

Hi Maurice

Note - in the image above you'll see (under the Storage Tree area) that it has an IDE Controller

You may not have one visible therefore press one of the green + signs within the Storage area and select
Add IDE Controller (see image)  You will then be able to add your Host Drive

Yes I have a similar image -

IDE Controller
XP.vdi
Host Drive HL-DT-ST DVDRamGH20NS10(sr0) attached to XP.

It's when I select Host Drive and click OK that I get the brief flash at the top of the screen - I suspect this is the popup which indicates XP in the DVD installing the files.

That's where the fault lies - the popup failing to open.

[Maurice]

I have now got as far as seeing the Windows Setup screen with the heading --

XP (running) - Oracle VM VirtualBox

Doesn't look right to me. Is this as it should be?

I hesitate to let it go on with the setup. Will it install Windows XP and wipe out my PcLos installations. Or is this normal and it's just going to install XP in the Virtual Box?

[Xenaflux]

Yup, it scared me too the first time.

It's going to install winXP in your Vbox.
Go for it

[djohnston]

I have now got as far as seeing the Windows Setup screen with the heading --

XP (running) - Oracle VM VirtualBox

Doesn't look right to me. Is this as it should be?

I hesitate to let it go on with the setup. Will it install Windows XP and wipe out my PcLos installations. Or is this normal and it's just going to install XP in the Virtual Box?

Maurice,

A screenshot would really go a long way towards explaining what exactly is going on. There's an old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

[GermanTux]

I have now got as far as seeing the Windows Setup screen with the heading --

XP (running) - Oracle VM VirtualBox

Doesn't look right to me. Is this as it should be?

I hesitate to let it go on with the setup. Will it install Windows XP and wipe out my PcLos installations. Or is this normal and it's just going to install XP in the Virtual Box?

This will install XP inside your virtual box virtual machine.  It will install itself inside the vdi file (which is a virtual hard drive) that you setup.  As already said, no worries, it will not erase anything in your PCLOS installation.  VBox is a GREAT program for when you need Windows. 

[Maurice]

I have now got as far as seeing the Windows Setup screen with the heading --

XP (running) - Oracle VM VirtualBox

Doesn't look right to me. Is this as it should be?

I hesitate to let it go on with the setup. Will it install Windows XP and wipe out my PcLos installations. Or is this normal and it's just going to install XP in the Virtual Box?

This will install XP inside your virtual box virtual machine.  It will install itself inside the vdi file (which is a virtual hard drive) that you setup.  As already said, no worries, it will not erase anything in your PCLOS installation.  VBox is a GREAT program for when you need Windows.  

Thanks DJ and GermanTux - that's reassuring...

Here's a screenshot just to make sure.



EDIT   Well - didn't work. I'll try again.

[Maurice]

Here we go - Could you confirm that I can go ahead with this GT? Many thanks.

[Old-Polack]

Here we go - Could you confirm that I can go ahead with this GT? Many thanks.

That's a perfectly normal setup screen... exactly what you would expect to see. Press the Enter key to continue the installation.

[GermanTux]

I second old polack.  That's just going to install xp inside a vdi file, that exists inside your PCLOS installation.  Full speed ahead

[Maurice]

Old-polack and Germantux - many thanks for the very fast replies. Also to the earlier posters.

With all that help I reckon I am now an expert on Virtual Box.

Maurice