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help-center-docs/software/virtualbox/en.md

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+++ title = "VirtualBox" lastmod = "2017-12-16T20:35:00+02:00" +++

VirtualBox

VirtualBox is an x86 virtualization software package developed by Oracle.

Determine which kernel you are using

Solus support both a current and lts kernel. It is important to install the version that corresponds to your kernel.

If you aren't sure which kernel you are running, run the following in terminal:

uname -r

You will either have a .current or .lts suffix. Examples: 4.13.12-32.current or 4.9.61-57.lts

Solus as Host

VirtualBox is available in the Software Center, select the package that matches your kernel.

virtualbox virtualbox-current
VirtualBox modules for the linux-lts kernel VirtualBox modules for the linux-current kernel

You must reboot your computer before running VirtualBox for the first time

Troubleshooting

{{< altimg "vbox-kernel.png" "help-center/software/virtualbox/" >}}

The Error Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908) may occur if

  • The computer was not restarted before launching VirtualBox for the first time
  • The computer is not booted on the latest kernel. Make sure to apply the updates from the Software Center and restart your machine.
  • The wrong VirtualBox package was installed. Please check the instructions just above to install the correct package for your kernel.
  • VirtualBox was manually installed and it conflicts with the version installed from the Solus Repository. The below commands usually help solving this last problem.
sudo /opt/VirtualBox/uninstall.sh
eopkg li | grep virtualbox | awk '{print $1}' | xargs sudo eopkg it --reinstall
sudo reboot

Solus as Guest

Preparing your system

Before you start, ensure your all packages are up-to-date on the virtual machine

sudo eopkg upgrade

For using VirtualBox, it is important to install the correct headers for your kernel

If you have a lts kernel, install the lts headers

sudo eopkg install linux-lts-headers

If you have a current kernel, installing the current headers

sudo eopkg install linux-current-headers

Make sure you have the necessary packages installed

sudo eopkg install gcc make autoconf binutils xorg-server-devel

Reboot the virtual machine.

Install the Guest Additions

Now install the Guest Additions : from the VirtualBox menu Devices -> Insert Guest Additions CD image...

On the guest Machine, open Files and click on the optical drive icon (CD name starts with VBOXADDITIONS) then click on the Run Software button and follow the on screen instructions.

{{< altimg "autorun.png" "help-center/software/virtualbox/" >}}

Note: For each kernel update you will need to rebuild the VirtualBox Modules. So simply remount the ISO and run the instructions again.

Virtual machine settings

Here is a brief overview on some options you may want to set (you can only do it when your virtual machine is not running).

Select your guest machine and click on the Settings icon.

Clipboard Sharing, Drag & Drop

By default, Clipboard Sharing and Drag'n'Drop are disabled, you can change this in General -> Advanced

{{< altimg "vbox-clipboard.png" "help-center/software/virtualbox/" >}}

Number of CPU

Virtual machines are created with only 1 CPU. You can change this in System -> Processor

3D Acceleration

For better performances, it is strongly recommended to enable 3D Acceleration in Display -> Screen

USB Controller

If you have installed the extension pack and your hardware supports it, you set the USB Controller to USB 2.0 or 3.0, in USB

Note: Access to USB is granted by the user group vboxusers on the Host operating system. You can add yourself to this group with the following command

sudo usermod -aG vboxusers `whoami`

Shared Folders

You can share folders from the Host to the Guest in Shared Folders

Note: auto-mounted shared folders are mounted into the /media directory, along with the prefix sf_. For example, the shared folder myfiles would be mounted to /media/sf_myfiles. Access to auto-mounted shared folders is only granted to the user group vboxsf on the Guest operating system.

Execute these commands to set the permissions and add yourself to the group

sudo chmod 755 /media
sudo usermod -aG vboxsf `whoami`