VirtualBox

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 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