Difference between revisions of "VirtualBox"

From Organic Design wiki
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VirtualBox is a general-purpose full [http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Virtualization virtualizer] for x86 hardware. Targeted at server, desktop and embedded use, it is now the only professional-quality virtualization solution that is also Open Source Software. Quoted from [http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/VirtualBox VirtualBox home page].
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{{procedure
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VirtualBox is a general-purpose full [http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Virtualization virtualizer] for x86 hardware. Targeted at server, desktop and embedded use, it is now the only professional-quality virtualization solution that is also Open Source Software. Quoted from [http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/VirtualBox VirtualBox home page]. Download the latest version [http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads here].
  
 
This page discusses the use of VirtualBox on Ubuntu host systems. We use the software to run other operating systems such Windows XP and vista, in order to document procedures or help clients who run such software.
 
This page discusses the use of VirtualBox on Ubuntu host systems. We use the software to run other operating systems such Windows XP and vista, in order to document procedures or help clients who run such software.
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#Where x: is a free device letter.
 
#Where x: is a free device letter.
 
#You should now be able to browse the shared folder by going to "My Computer" on the guest OS
 
#You should now be able to browse the shared folder by going to "My Computer" on the guest OS
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== Running Windows XP guest OS ==
 
== Running Windows XP guest OS ==
  
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=== Importing Firefox settings ===
 
=== Importing Firefox settings ===
 
I like to set up Firefox with all my saved passwords on shortcuts on the virtual machine as well.
 
I like to set up Firefox with all my saved passwords on shortcuts on the virtual machine as well.
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*First, navigate to the default Firefox profile which will be located under /home/user/.mozilla/firefox (you can enable "Show hidden files" under the view menu, or alternatively use "Ctrl. +H")
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*First, navigate to the default Firefox profile which will be located under /home/user/.mozilla/firefox (you can enable "Show hidden files" under the view menu, or alternatively use "Ctrl. +H"). It will be named something like "rftghy78f.default".
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*Copy this to the shared folder we set up earlier
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*Copy this to the shared folder we set up earlier, also copy the Firefox install file here
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*On the host OS, copy the Firefox profile to the user's documents folder (Start/username), copy the Firefox.exe to your desktop
 
*Install Firefox on Vista
 
*Install Firefox on Vista
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*'''Uncheck''
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*On the last screen, "Completing the Firefox setup wizard", '''Uncheck''' "Launch Firefox now" box. Click "Finish"
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*Run Firefox the first time (this creates the default user profile)
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*Enter "firefox.exe -profilemanager" in "Start Search" and hit enter.
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*Navigate to the default folder in
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*The Firefox profile manager will pop up. Select "Create new profile"
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*C:\Users\Human\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
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*On the screen where you create a name for the user, you can leave "Default User", but select "Choose folder". This sets where your profile data is kept.
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;Creating a new profile
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*Navigate to the profile folder copied earlier (e.g. '''C:\Users\Bob\rftghy78f.default''')
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*Close the application and make sure that it is not running in the background.
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*Hit "Finish", then "Exit"
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*Thunderbird, Mozilla Suite or SeaMonkey: Use the "Profile Manager" shortcut located in the Start -> Programs Menu (if available) or use the below instructions, substituting thunderbird.exe mozilla.exe or seamonkey.exe in place of firefox.exe.
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*Start Firefox
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*Firefox: See Creating a new Firefox profile on Windows for a step by step guide with screenshots, or follow these instructions:
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*If you are using a different version of Firefox to what you are using on the host, you may be prompted to check for upgrades to plug-ins
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*Enter "firefox.exe -profilemanager" in "Start Search"
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*Once Firefox has finished loading, you should have all your settings and bookmarks being the same as on the guest
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Revision as of 03:34, 9 July 2009

Procedure.svg VirtualBox
Organic Design procedure

VirtualBox is a general-purpose full virtualizer for x86 hardware. Targeted at server, desktop and embedded use, it is now the only professional-quality virtualization solution that is also Open Source Software. Quoted from VirtualBox home page. Download the latest version here.

This page discusses the use of VirtualBox on Ubuntu host systems. We use the software to run other operating systems such Windows XP and vista, in order to document procedures or help clients who run such software.

Using shared folders

This applies for Windows XP and Vista guest OS.

  1. Install Guest Additions (Devices > Install Guest Additions)
  2. Click on folder icon on the bottom of the VirtualBox
  3. Create a new shared folder: select a directory on Host and choose a name (e.g. my_shared_folder)
  4. On a command shell (cmd) type this command
net use x: \\vboxsrv\my_shared_folder
  1. Where x: is a free device letter.
  2. You should now be able to browse the shared folder by going to "My Computer" on the guest OS

Running Windows XP guest OS

Running Windows Vista guest OS

Windows Vista needs about a 20GB virtual disk for smooth running and at least 1GB of host memory

Importing Firefox settings

I like to set up Firefox with all my saved passwords on shortcuts on the virtual machine as well.

  • First, navigate to the default Firefox profile which will be located under /home/user/.mozilla/firefox (you can enable "Show hidden files" under the view menu, or alternatively use "Ctrl. +H"). It will be named something like "rftghy78f.default".
  • Copy this to the shared folder we set up earlier, also copy the Firefox install file here
  • On the host OS, copy the Firefox profile to the user's documents folder (Start/username), copy the Firefox.exe to your desktop
  • Install Firefox on Vista
  • On the last screen, "Completing the Firefox setup wizard", Uncheck "Launch Firefox now" box. Click "Finish"
  • Enter "firefox.exe -profilemanager" in "Start Search" and hit enter.
  • The Firefox profile manager will pop up. Select "Create new profile"
  • On the screen where you create a name for the user, you can leave "Default User", but select "Choose folder". This sets where your profile data is kept.
  • Navigate to the profile folder copied earlier (e.g. C:\Users\Bob\rftghy78f.default)
  • Hit "Finish", then "Exit"
  • Start Firefox
  • If you are using a different version of Firefox to what you are using on the host, you may be prompted to check for upgrades to plug-ins
  • Once Firefox has finished loading, you should have all your settings and bookmarks being the same as on the guest
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