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To install VirtualBox in Ubuntu

$ sudo apt-get install virtualbox-ose

To run VirtualBox type

$ /usr/bin/VirtualBox

I had 2 occasions where my virtual machine couldn’t start.  The error message as similar to:

Could not find a registered CD/DVD image with UUID {90780d30-7262-4296-9d45-b1fdf718e414}.

Result Code: 0x80070057 Component: VirtualBox Interface: IVirtualBox {e1d95593-f579-4f47-b489-0b67181014e1}

To fix the problem, edit the machine XML file in .VirtualBox\Machines\{vm_name}\{vm_name}.xml and replaced the line with the UUID specified with the line:

<DVDDrive passthrough="false"/>

That disconnected the CD/DVD and I was able to start the virtual machine again.

When trying to maneuver inside the virtual machine display you would always need to click the mouse inside the VM display while hold down the host key (e.g. Right Ctrl) and vice-versa.  To get rid of this annoying procedure install “Guest Additions” from the “Device” menu of the virtual machine window.

1. Backup the current Portable-VirtualBox installation on your USB drive. e.g. G:\PortableApps\Portable-VirtualBox
2. Download the latest version of Portable-VirtualBox and copy it into G:\PortableApps.
3. Executing the downloaded file Portable-VirtualBox_v3.0.8-Starter_v4.0.0-Win_all.exe will bring up the dialog box below.
4. Click on the “Download Installation file of VirtualBox” button to download the VirtualBox installation file.
   
5. When the download has completed the path of the VirtualBox installation should be filled in.  Check the “Extract the files for a 32-Bit/64-Bit system” checkbox based on your system and click on the “OK” button.
   
6. A new directory should be created in G:\PortableApps\Portable-VirtualBox.  Inside the directory execute Portable-VirtualBox.exe and the VirtualBox installation will be extracted in G:\PortableApps\Portable-VirtualBox\app32.
7. From your backup Portable-VirtualBox copy all the files inside \data\.VirtualBox into the new directory G:\PortableApps\Portable-VirtualBox\data\.VirtualBox
8. When the copying has been completed you can run the newly upgraded version G:\PortableApps\Portable-VirtualBox\Portable-VirtualBox.exe

A while back my workplace’s information security department decided to increase the security of our PCs.  The increase in security meant my computer was more locked down with some administration privileges removed, and was being very heavily monitored.  Not wanting to through to all the approval process to install free/open source software which aren’t company standards, I decided to create a virtual machine so I can still have my sandbox to play with.

VirtualBox is an open source software from Sun Microsystems that allows a “guest” operating system to run on top of an existing “host” operating system.  A portable version is available at http://vbox.me, giving you the ability to create a virtual machine on a portable drive.

Creating a Virtual Machine

Creating a virtual machine with VirtualBox is very intuitive, just click on the “New” icon and go through the “New Virtual Machine Wizard”

Sun VirtualBox

New Virtual Machine Wizard

After you have completed the wizard you will be presented a screen with all the details of the virtual machine you just created.  I’ve created a Windows XP virtual machine.

Windows XP Virtual Machine

To install the operating system onto your virtual machine.  In the “Details” tab, click on the “CD/DVD-ROM” settings and check off the “Mount CD/DVD Drive” check box.

CD/DVD-ROM Settings

Insert the installation disc of the operating system in your ROM drive and click on the “Start” icon to being the installation.

Installing Windows XP

After the installation has completed un-mount your CD/DVD drive or change the boot sequence in VirtualBox before starting your virtual machine again, and you are done.

Running Windows XP Within Windows XP