[Solved] VirtualBox OSE and new kernel

[matteorr]

Is VirtualBox Open Source Edition being phased out?  When upgrading to kernel 2.6.38.2-pclos1.bfs, it removed virtualbox and will not let me reinstall it without uninstalling that kernel.  I didn't know if the non-OSE version is now recommended or if the kernel is just too new to have virtualbox modules.

[MCP]

Is VirtualBox Open Source Edition being phased out?  When upgrading to kernel 2.6.38.2-pclos1.bfs, it removed virtualbox and will not let me reinstall it without uninstalling that kernel.  I didn't know if the non-OSE version is now recommended or if the kernel is just too new to have virtualbox modules.

Virtual Box has transitioned to using an extention pack to add the functionality that was in the PUEL version.  So yes the old OSE version has been transitioned out.  As for the new kernel, I just added kernel 2.6.38.2-pclos1.pae.bfs and it works just fine with VBox 4.04.

MCP

[Krisbee]

Which version of VBox did you have installed? VBox 4, or an earlier version?

You don't upgrade kernels, you install new kernels (along with source headers). Previous kernels remain on your system until you decide to remove them.

After installing a new kernel, and if you want to use it right away, on the next re-boot selecting the new kernel from the boot menu should result in the dynamic module system building an necessary modules for the new kernel, things like video drivers, and virtual box.  Vbox should run as long as the new kernel module was successfully built on reboot. If you use a graphical boot then you may not have seen the messages.

So exactly how/what did you install and what exactly did you do after installing the new kernel?

You could check in synaptic that  you have the kernel-devel-2.6.38.2-pclos1.bfs package installed along with kernel 2.6.38.2-pclos1.bfs.

[matteorr]

I had the package named 'task-virtualbox' installed which shows a version of 3.1.4-1pclos2010.  When I chose to install the 2.6.38.2 kernel (including the devel package), it forced me to remove that package (along with the virtualbox and dkms-virtualbox packages).  I've got the non-OSE version 4.0.4 installed now and it seems to be working fine, but would prefer an open source edition if I had the option (for purely ideological reasons).

[Krisbee]

As has already been said, unless you chose to download and install the USB Vbox extension pack for Vbox 4.0.4 you are running the OSE version of latest Vbox. No need for ideological qualms.

I think you should mark this thread as solved.