Linux - Install on Windows 7 Virtual Machine using VirtualBox

   Information

Microsoft Virtual PC is my choice to run Windows virtual machines. However, installing Linux on Virtual PC is not something I would recommend. Main reason is the lack of integration elements; Virtual PC integration components are designed to run well on XP, Vista and 7 virtual machines. For Linux, Virtual PC does not (at least at this moment) offer any integration components.

VirtualBox integration components are called Guest Additions. They install and run well also in any Linux distro. That's why I recommended creating Linux virtual machines in VirtualBox.

I am using Ubuntu 10.10 to make this tutorial. At the moment it is the most Windows like Linux distro available, a safe bet for a beginner to start experimenting Linux.

For more advanced Linux users I recommend using Novell SUSE 11.3 which is a commercial Linux distribution, free to test, or its free counterpart OpenSUSE 11.3. The setup procedure in VirtualBox is exactly the same.

Microsoft Virtual PC, Oracle VirtualBox and VMware Player are at the moment the best free virtualization applications. All have their pros and cons, I'm not going to put them in any order here. Let's just say I'm using Microsoft Virtual PC for all my XP and Vista virtual machines, and VirtualBox for older Windows and Linux machines.

You can download these virtualization applications here:
Microsoft: Virtual PC
Oracle: VirtualBox
VMware: WMware Player

OK, let's start. First, download and install VirtualBox using the link above. Then download latest Ubuntu Linux ISO image here: Download | Ubuntu


Part 1: Create a new virtual machine for Ubuntu

1. Launch VirtualBox
2. Click New:
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3. This opens New Virtual Machine Wizard. Click Next:
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4. Give your new virtual machine a name, choose the right OS and version. These are automatically selected if VirtualBox can determine it from the name you gave. Click Next:
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5. Set the amount of RAM you want to assign to Ubuntu. For running a Linux vm (virtual machine), 512 MB is enough. You can assign as much as you want to, maximum being about 512 MB less of your host computer's RAM. Keep in mind though that RAM used by a running vm is away from the RAM Windows can use; assigning more RAM can make your vm run faster and better but at the same time make your Windows crawl so slowly even the vm halts. My recommendation is always leave at least 2 GB for Windows, or if you have under 4 GB of RAM only give maximum of 1 GB to a vm. Click Next:
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6. VirtualBox asks now if you want to create a new vhd (virtual hard disk), or use existing vhd. Choose Create new and click Next:
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7. New Virtual Disk Wizard starts. Click Next:
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8. Click Next to accept Dynamically expanding storage:
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   Dynamically expanding vhd means that although the guest consideres the HD being the size given (max value), host Windows only uses as much space on HD as is actually needed; a 20 GB dynamic vhd where only 4 GB is used is seen by Windows host as a 4 GB vhd file, not as a 20 GB file, but the guest OS sees the same vhd file as a 20 GB hard disk with 16 GB free. I recommend 8 to 12 GB for Ubuntu.
9. You can now accept the default location where VirtualBox offers to save the vhd, or change the location by clicking the small folder symbol. Default save folders are Your_Username\.VirtualBox (VirtualBox 3.2 and older) or Your_Username\VirtualBox VMs (from version 4 Beta). You can also change the original size of vhd here. Click Next:
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10. Click Finish to end New Virtual Disk Wizard:
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    [*]Click Finish to end New Virtual Machine Wizard:
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    [*]Now choose the virtual machine you just created and click Settings:
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    [*]Choose Storage from the left pane, CD/DVD from under the title IDE controller, and click the small CD symbol on the right:
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    [*]Now you need to tell VirtualBox which install media you want to use. You can assign any of the host system's CD/DVD drives to vm , or an ISO image to act as a CD/DVD drive. For now, you want to use the Ubuntu ISO you downloaded earlier. Browse to its location, choose it and click Open:
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    [*]Now choose Display from the left pane, assign the maximum 128 MB video RAM to virtual machine's emulated video card:
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    [*]Next you need to setup network controller. Click Network on the left pane, choose Enable Network Adapter, choose Bridged Adapter, and choose your host computer's network adapter from drop down list:
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    [*]Click OK to save edited settings:
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Part 2: Install Ubuntu on a virtual machine

1. Choose Ubuntu vm, click Start:
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2. When vm starts, it shows you the first screen of Ubuntu setup. Choose the language you want from over 60 languages, or wait 30 seconds for English to be selected:
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3. Ubuntu starts now in so called Live Mode. Double click Install Ubuntu icon:
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4. Once again, choose your installation language:
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5. Choose Download updates while installing. You might also want to install Fluendo MP3 plugin offered for better audio features. Click Forward:
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6. Choose Erase and use the entire disk. Notice please, we are now talking about the virtual hard disk we created earlier, not the actual hd on your host computer. In other words, this does not mean your HD with Windows on it will be erased Click Forward:
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7. Click Install Now:
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8. Choose your time zone:
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9. Choose your preferred keyboard layout. To avoid confusion, I recommend choosing the same you are using on your host computer's Windows. Click Forward:
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10. Tell Ubuntu your name, choose the computer name and set up a password. Click Forward:
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11. Installation starts, you have now some 20+ minutes for a coffee break, or you can watch a presentation about Ubuntu by clicking those arrow symbols on left and right:
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12. When installation is finished, you have to unmount (deattach) Ubuntu ISO image before reboot. Before clicking Restart Now, Open Devices menu from vm window, click CD/DVD devices, choose Unmount CD/DVD Device:
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13. Click Restart Now:
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14. When Ubuntu has booted, click your username to open a password prompt. Type your password, click Log In:
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15. To fully integrate Ubuntu vm to your Windows 7 desktop, to allow networking and for instance cross platform copy & paste, you need to install VirtualBox Guest Additions. Click Devices menu, choose Install Guest Additions:
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16. If the CD/DVD icon appears on the desktop, right click it and choose Open With Autorun Prompt:
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17. If the CD/DVD icon does not appear on desktop (happens sometimes), open Ubuntu's Places menu, and choose VBOXADDITIONS. Choose then Open Autorun Prompt from VBOXADDITIONS window:
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18. Choose Run to start Guest Additions setup:
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19. You must now enter the administrative password. It is the same you chose for your account, so enter it now:
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20. When Guest Additions are set up, you must press Return (Enter) to close the window:
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21. Restart Ubuntu:
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22. After reboot, you are ready to go:
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That's it. Made easy by Windows 7 and a virtualizaton application.


Kari

 

[Kari]

Hi Yangbin, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Check your virtual machine settings as told in step 16 in tutorial.

Kari

 

[yangbin]

Thanks Kari!
I checked step 16 of the tutorial, but somehow it didn't work for me. Actually, I have even tried all options under 'Bridged adapter', none of them worked. Finally, I change 'bridged adapter' to 'NAT', which is the default option for network, and it works this time!
I'm using ubuntu to reply this now. So cool!
Appreciate your patience and time!

 

[martinrub]

Thanks Kari!
I checked step 16 of the tutorial, but somehow it didn't work for me. Actually, I have even tried all options under 'Bridged adapter', none of them worked. Finally, I change 'bridged adapter' to 'NAT', which is the default option for network, and it works this time!
I'm using ubuntu to reply this now. So cool!
Appreciate your patience and time!

Awesome: both the tutorial and the way VirtualBox and Ubuntu work.

The above tip also got me connected:"change 'bridged adapter' to 'NAT'". Thanks, that saved me a lot of messing around.

I'd also add PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO PART 2 STEP 12 i.e. "When installation is finished, you have to unmount (deattach) Ubuntu ISO image before reboot. Before clicking Restart Now, Open Devices menu from vm window, click CD/DVD devices, choose Unmount CD/DVD Device:"

If, you miss this, like I did because I was too keen to get cracking, Ubuntu seems to freeze up and your mouse/trackpad fails to work inside the VirtualBox.

Yet again the old advice: IF ALL ELSE FAILS, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.


Thanks to everyone concerned.

Martin

 

[Brunel]

Excellent and very helpful. Thanks for your time

 

[UsernameIssues]

VirtualBox 4.3.6 r91406 & Linux Mint 16 Cinnamon64bit

Hangs on restart during install.

Host is the W7 pro 64bit in my system specs.

Guest is installed via linuxmint-16-cinnamon-dvd-64bit.iso
...from here: http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=144

















































Clicking on Restart Now in the screen above gives the screen below.




I can reset the VM by closing the window and selecting power off or via the menu machine/reset. Once I restart the VM all seems fine and updates install fine.





Resetting the VM just does not give me a warm feeling.

Any suggestions.

edit: I've tried default settings and settings that are closer to the tutorial... same issue.

 

[Kari]

Sorry the delay. I'll download that same Mint edition and try to install it, will be back soon.

 

[Kari]

I seem to be completely unable to install Mint 16 x64 to VirtualBox. Whatever I do, whatever settings I choose, it freezes on splash screen at the beginning.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I'm having other troubles with this version of VirtualBox...
...so I think that I'll wait for a new release.

Thanks for your time on this.

 

[Kari]

Quite interesting, though. Tried several times during past week or so, nothing seems to be working. Ubuntu OK, SuSE OK, Mint 16 a no go.

You could try if you could use one of the pre-installed Mint 16 VirtualBox images: LinuxMint | VirtualBoxImages.com

 

[UsernameIssues]

My Linux Mint VB/VM install works for the most part...
...it is just weird having to do a power reset during the last part of the install.

I just wanted it to show a person what it is like before I put it on an older laptop currently running XP.

 

[hardik]

AWSOME WORK

THANK YOU VERY MUCH IT HELPS A LOT

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello Kari I have the VB installed but am stuck at point 14 as I follow the insrtuctions but have no way of browsing to the stick I have Ubuntu save on.

I feel I have made a mistake somewhere but where I don't know can you please advise me as to what I have to do. In my pic is where I am stuck.

Just as I know will the VD open up Ubuntu in the same way as a dual boot would give ,me??

 

[dg1261]

am stuck at point 14 as I follow the insrtuctions but have no way of browsing to the stick I have Ubuntu save on.

ICIT2LOL,

Am I correct in assuming you downloaded the Ubuntu iso file and then went the extra step of turning it into USB installation media? If so, that was unnecessary. You don't need physical installation media, you install directly from the iso.

In your screenshot, unattach "Host Drive D:" and instead "insert" the iso into the virtual CD/DVD drive.

Click the round plus symbol next to "Controller: IDE", then click "Choose disk", and navigate to the iso you downloaded. "OK" your way back out of everything, and you will have effectively loaded the virtual DVD image into your VM's virtual CD/DVD drive.

Now start your virtual machine and it should boot from the iso image. Take it from there to complete the install.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok mat I will give it a go as I really would have preferred a dual boot on the drive itself. But will try again as the last dual boot crashed my tester machine and I don't wnat to wreck the current dedicated 7 machine I have running as Iam running out of machines:shock: