How to Install Windows In Ubuntu Hardy with VirtualBox
VirtualBox is an open-source cross platforms virtualization application that allows anyone to create a virtual machine on their computer. It is similar to the popular VMware, but much smaller in size and handles the virtual machine more efficiently.
Before you attempt to install any Windows OS as a virtual machine, make sure that your computer has enough memory (at least 1GB of RAM) and hard disk and you own a genuine Windows installer CD with valid license key.
Installing VirtualBox
Go to the VirtualBox download site. Under the Platform dropdown box, select Ubuntu 8.04 (x86). AMD users please select Ubuntu 8.04 (AMD64). Check the agreement box and click Continue.
Check the box Sun xVM VirtualBox 1.6 and click “Download selected with Sun Download manager”. The program should now download the virtualbox_1.6.2-31466_Ubuntu_hardy_i386.deb file to your desktop. If you don’t have java runtime installed, you can simply right click on the file link and select “Save link as”.
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Once the downloading is done, double click on the virtualbox_1.6.2-31466_Ubuntu_hardy_i386.deb to install the program.
After the installation, VirtualBox will create a group call vboxuser. You will have to add your user name to the group. To do this, go to System -> Administration -> Users and Groups.
Click the Unlock button, follow by Manage Groups.
Scroll down until you see the vboxusers. Click Properties.
Put a check beside your user name and click OK. Done
Go to Applications->System Tools -> Sun xVM Virtualbox. If you can’t find the entry, reboot your computer.
You should see the VirtualBox main window (image below) upon opening the application
Click New to install a new virtual machine.
On the welcome screen, click Next to proceed.
Give your VM a name and determine its type. If you are installing Windows XP, simply put “Windows XP” under the name field and select Windows XP under the OS Type dropdown box.
In the next screen, set your base memory size. If you are installing Windows XP, it is recommended to allocate at least 256MB of memory. If you have lot of memory in your computer, you can always allocate up to 1GB or more.
Next, you have to create the virtual disk space. Click New.
A new window will pop up. Click Next on the new window to proceed.
Select “Dynamically expanding image” follow by Next.
Give the image a name (can be the same as your VM name) and allocate the size. Recommended is at least 8GB. Click Finish to complete the process.
This will close the window and bring you back to the previous window. Select the virtual disk you have just created and click Next. The last part is the confirmation where it will show you the summary of your configuration. If everything is fine, click Finish.
You should now see an entry of the virtual machine in the main screen. Highlight it and select Settings (just above the entry). On the left pane, select the CD/DVD ROM. On the right pane, check the box ‘Mount CD/DVD Drive’ and select Host CD Drive. Click OK.
Now insert in the Windows XP/Vista installer CD. On the virtual box, highlight the virtual machine and click Start. The virtual machine should now boot up and you can follow the screen instruction to install Windows XP.
At any time, if you want to get out of the virtual machine screen, press right Ctrl button. Once you have finished installing the OS. Reboot into the virtual machine. Under the device menu, select Install guest addition. This will allow you to enjoy enhanced graphics and smooth mouse transition between the virtual machine and your host machine.
Tags: Linux, VirtualBox
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[Click to close]23 Responses
Great tutorial.
This is very helpful. I like the clear instructions with pictures.
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Great guide, I encountered only an USB problem using VirtualBox. I tried the above install on a virgin Hardy install and it works great. When I try to edit a machine I get the following warning:
Failed to access the USB subsystem:
Could not load the Host USB Proxy Service (VERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND). The service might be not installed on the host computer.
Anything I need to add you already have onboard?
Thanks,
OE
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@Onno: You need to enable USB support on Hardy heron. Follow this guide http://maketecheasier.com/enabling-usb-support-for-vmware-server-in-hardy-heron/2008/05/05
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Does VirtualBox really handle virtual machines more efficiently than VMWare?
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@Damien, thanks it works. Please put a link in the article to make it even better.
Another thing: Under network I need to use “Host Interface” for server testing. Do you also have an artikel on bridging? Could you expand the artikel with (USB and) bridging?
Thanks again,
Onno
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@Saman, under windows it does for me… with GUI and headless. Under Linux (Ubuntu) I still have to test it but the reviews favor VirtualBox.
Also VirtualBox has more flexibility (VMWare can give you that flexibility if you buy more products…), but the VB flexibility comes at some complexity cost (like cloning a server, machine + hard drive). And VirtualBox needs less resources…
Give it a try, if you need RDP, USB, iSCSI or SATA use the closed source version (as I do), otherwise try the open source edition. They are both free!
Regards,
Onno
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This is very helpful tutorial and very easy. Every user understand easily.and i like clear instruction
with picture.
very-2 thanks for this tutorial.
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VirtualBox kernel driver not installed. The vboxdrv kernel module was either not loaded or /dev/vboxdrv was not created for some reason. Please install the virtualbox-ose-modules package for your kernel, e.g. virtualbox-ose-modules-generic..
VBox status code: -1908 (VERR_VM_DRIVER_NOT_INSTALLED).
Result Code:
0×80004005
Component:
Console
Interface:
IConsole {1dea5c4b-0753-4193-b909-22330f64ec45}
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Damien Reply:
December 12th, 2008 at 3:22 am
There is a conflict in kernels in the latest Ubuntu Intrepid kernel update. Try to rebuild the vbox kernel:
sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup
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Does not include discussion on Guest Additions
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Hi
I need some help can i install virtual box to be able to switch fast between XP and ubuntu IF i already have xp and ubuntu on my laptop ?
i got and hp dv9040us core duo 1.6GHZ 2Ram 2 HDD and both of my OS XP and ubuntu are on C drive
Can i still install virtual box even if i already have XP and ubuntu and i have a dual booting but i have to restart the laptop every time i want to change the OS or switch
Reply
Damien Reply:
March 22nd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
For the first qn, the answer is No. If you are already dualbooting Ubuntu and Windows, you can’t use Virtualbox to connect to both and that is not what Virtualbox is meant for.
For the second question, as long as you have sufficient space in your hard disk, you can always install Virtualbox, regardless you are in Windows or Ubuntu.
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HAFey Reply:
August 16th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Hi,
Thanks a lot, is there anyway or another software to use/load the already installed windows instead of installing it again from the scratch in the VirtualBox?
i’m also running a dual OS
Reply
Damien Reply:
August 19th, 2009 at 8:42 am
No. If you are running a dual OS system, the best that you can do is to read/write files from the other OS partition. You won’t be able to use Windows and Ubuntu at the same time.
@Paul; what you have is a dual boot system; in other words: the OSes are running “next to each other but not at the same time” (hence dual boot). What virtualbox can do for you is: run the OSes “on top of each other at the same time” (hence you can switch on demand).
Example: I have a single boot laptop with Ubuntu on it. I installed Virtualbox and installed Win XP (and others!) in Virtualbox. I can switch between Ubuntu and Win XP by just moving the mouse out of Win XP to Ubuntu.
Hope this clarifies things…
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Hi!
I have a little question : i can see i also have the option to install something call wined3d…
What is it usefull for? Do i have to install it absolutely?
Thanks in advance for your help!
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This was a great help. I didn’t think of rebooting my computer until I found this helpful site.
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The Wine3d is a module to enable 3D acceleration for Windows guest. It is not a must to install it, but if you host computer can support it, installing the Wine3d can give your Windows guest a much better graphics handling capabilities
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Hi. Followed instructions, everything went well! Thanks for this how-to. Little trouble with ++g but got it working. Unfortunately, little problem with Ubuntu:
“Building and using a custom kernel will make it very difficult to get support for your system. While it is a learning experience to compile your own kernel, you will not be allowed to file bugs on the custom-built kernel (if you do, they will be Rejected without further explanation)”
(Taken from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile)
Just an FYI.
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Works Like charm…thanks for sexy tutorial :)
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Works fine for me. Good tutorial.
I am not much of a windows fan, but google’s decision not to bring video and voice to gtalk left me no other option rather than to run windows (After trying lots of options).
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It loads and then gives me an error message saying I need 32 bit processing and then it stops. I am not sure how to change that.
Please help!
Thanks
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Damien Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 9:01 am
What is your PC configuration? Are you using the 32-bit or 64 bit version?
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