How do I install Win 7 on virtualbox? (SOLVED)

[AS]

Please go easy on me as I simply cannot comprehend the instructions there in regards to setting this up. Here is the path on my system where VBox is located. /home/shutterbug/VirtualBox VMs
I am completely lost after several attempts

shutterbug@localhost ~]$ VBoxManage guestcontrol Wind Rider execute
VBoxManage: error: Could not find a registered machine named 'Wind'
VBoxManage: error: Details: code VBOX_E_OBJECT_NOT_FOUND (0x80bb0001), component VirtualBox, interface IVirtualBox, callee nsISupports
Context: "FindMachine(Bstr(pszNameOrId).raw(), machine.asOutParam())" at line 422 of file VBoxManageGuestCtrl.c

Thanks.

1) Start your virtual machine, and install Guest Additions (Top Menu -> Devices -> Install Guest Additions), if not already done.
2) Edit your VM settings, click on "Shared folders", add the directory you want to share between the host and the guest.

AS

[kjpetrie]

Command line arguments containing spaces either need to be quoted, or have the spaces escaped with a \, depending on the command. This inconsistent requirement is the reason most seasoned Linux users prefer to use _ rather than spaces to separate words.

[djohnston]

shutterbug@localhost ~]$ VBoxManage guestcontrol Wind Rider execute
VBoxManage: error: Could not find a registered machine named 'Wind'

Could not find a registered machine named 'Wind' is your clue. Do it like this:

VBoxManage guestcontrol "Wind Rider" execute

Command line arguments containing spaces either need to be quoted, or have the spaces escaped with a \, depending on the command. This inconsistent requirement is the reason most seasoned Linux users prefer to use _ rather than spaces to separate words.

[Snapshot]

shutterbug@localhost ~]$ VBoxManage guestcontrol Wind Rider execute
VBoxManage: error: Could not find a registered machine named 'Wind'

Could not find a registered machine named 'Wind' is your clue. Do it like this:

VBoxManage guestcontrol "Wind Rider" execute

Command line arguments containing spaces either need to be quoted, or have the spaces escaped with a \, depending on the command. This inconsistent requirement is the reason most seasoned Linux users prefer to use _ rather than spaces to separate words.

I'll work on this in a bit. I initially today entered only what you suggested and didn't complete the argument. There is more yet to be done. Thanks for the suggestion (help) and I'll post back later.

BR,
Bob

[djohnston]

I initially today entered only what you suggested and didn't complete the argument.

Yeah, I got the following error:

darrel@AMD64:  53 items 548Kb -> VBoxManage guestcontrol "Zen" execute
VBoxManage: error: Machine "Zen" is not running (currently powered off)!


What is it you're trying to do? Set up a shared folder, or something else?

[The Chief]

shutterbug@localhost ~]$ VBoxManage guestcontrol Wind Rider execute
VBoxManage: error: Could not find a registered machine named 'Wind'

This appears to be a problem with spaces in a name - not a good idea in Linux, or Windows, for that matter, although it causes fewer headaches in Windows. 

Rename it to use an underscore or dash in the name, or enclose the name in quotes ("Wind Rider").

[Snapshot]

I initially today entered only what you suggested and didn't complete the argument.

Yeah, I got the following error:

darrel@AMD64:  53 items 548Kb -> VBoxManage guestcontrol "Zen" execute
VBoxManage: error: Machine "Zen" is not running (currently powered off)!


What is it you're trying to do? Set up a shared folder, or something else?

Yes, shared folders on my Linux box. I just yesterday got my VBox set up with Win7 but I can't access my PCLOS folders. Also there is the issue of responsiveness from Win 7 and a jittery cursor is just plain annoying. It would be nice (if possible) to get a more fluid response within Windows as well as a better display. As it is I have to stretch the display to fill my monitor.

My error was this:
 
[shutterbug@localhost ~]$ VBoxManage guestcontrol "Wind Rider" execute
Oracle VM VirtualBox Command Line Management Interface Version 4.1.4_OSE
(C) 2005-2011 Oracle Corporation
All rights reserved.

Usage:

VBoxManage guestcontrol     <vmname>|<uuid>
                            exec[ute]
                            --image <path to program>
                            --username <name> --password <password>
                            [--dos2unix]
                            [--environment "<NAME>=<VALUE> [<NAME>=<VALUE>]"]
                            [--timeout <msec>] [--unix2dos] [--verbose]
                            [--wait-exit] [--wait-stdout] [--wait-stderr]
                            [-- [<argument1>] ... [<argumentN>]]

                            copyfrom
                            <source on guest> <destination on host>
                            --username <name> --password <password>
                            [--dryrun] [--follow] [--recursive] [--verbose]

                            copyto|cp
                            <source on host> <destination on guest>
                            --username <name> --password <password>
                            [--dryrun] [--follow] [--recursive] [--verbose]

                            createdir[ectory]|mkdir|md
                            <director[y|ies] to create on guest>
                            --username <name> --password <password>
                            [--parents] [--mode <mode>] [--verbose]

                            stat
                            <file element(s) to check on guest>
                            --username <name> --password <password>
                            [--verbose]

                            updateadditions
                            [--source <guest additions .ISO>] [--verbose]


Syntax error: Incorrect parameters
[shutterbug@localhost ~]$

[Snapshot]

shutterbug@localhost ~]$ VBoxManage guestcontrol Wind Rider execute
VBoxManage: error: Could not find a registered machine named 'Wind'

This appears to be a problem with spaces in a name - not a good idea in Linux, or Windows, for that matter, although it causes fewer headaches in Windows. 

Rename it to use an underscore or dash in the name, or enclose the name in quotes ("Wind Rider").

Is it possible now to edit Wind Rider to Wind_Rider? If so, how? Thanks.

[djohnston]

Is it possible now to edit Wind Rider to Wind_Rider? If so, how? Thanks.

Yeah, VBoxManage doesn't appear to like the space in the VM name. Open VBox. Select the VM. Select Settings. In the left pane, select General and the Basic tab. Change the name there. As far as the shared folder, follow as's post at the top of this page. If you get stuck post back.

[Old-Polack]

shutterbug@localhost ~]$ VBoxManage guestcontrol Wind Rider execute
VBoxManage: error: Could not find a registered machine named 'Wind'

This appears to be a problem with spaces in a name - not a good idea in Linux, or Windows, for that matter, although it causes fewer headaches in Windows.  

Rename it to use an underscore or dash in the name, or enclose the name in quotes ("Wind Rider").

Is it possible now to edit Wind Rider to Wind_Rider? If so, how? Thanks.

You can delete the VM, but not the .vdi file. Then create a new machine, with a proper name. (Wind_Rider, or WindRider) When you get to the part about creating a virtual hard drive, choose to use an existing drive, then select the existing one. The entry in VB will have the new name but boot the existing installation.

[djohnston]

You can also just rename the VM from the VBox settings.

[Old-Polack]

You can also just rename the VM from the VBox settings.

When I tried that, admittedly a few releases back, it locked up VB. Deleting the machine file, keeping the .vdi file, and creating a new machine worked, at that time, and has since. I haven't tried just renaming the VM since. Thanks for letting me know that's been fixed. 

[djohnston]

I haven't tried just renaming the VM since. Thanks for letting me know that's been fixed.  

No problem. Of course, the vdi file name's still going to contain a space.    Just the VM gets renamed.

[djohnston]

Also there is the issue of responsiveness from Win 7 and a jittery cursor is just plain annoying. It would be nice (if possible) to get a more fluid response within Windows as well as a better display. As it is I have to stretch the display to fill my monitor.

You need to have at least 1GB of RAM allocated for the guest to get good responsiveness. The mouse speed can be tailored with the Windows settings. As far as the display settings, need more info on your settings and what you're trying to do.

However, best to proceed with one thing at a time.

[Old-Polack]

I haven't tried just renaming the VM since. Thanks for letting me know that's been fixed.  

No problem. Of course, the vdi file name's still going to contain a space.    Just the VM gets renamed.

That can be renamed before creating a new VM, simply by right clicking the .vdi file and selecting Rename.