VirtualBox

I've been recently getting into virtual machines for work and for school. Mainly because I needed a solution to the problem that a lot of Bioinformatic (what I study for those who don't know) programs run on linux machines. I've grown up using windows and still quite a novice at linux as I only really started using it a year ago. Previously, I had a setup a dual boot on my PC running Vista and Ubuntu. However that didn't work so well because I always had to restart my machine just to get into Ubuntu or vice versa.

And thanks to a client who requested I test out some webpages in IE6 which I couldn't because I had Vista which comes with IE7 pre-installed (for those who don't know, you can't downgrade IE7 to IE6). I had to resort to a virtual machine to install windows XP just so I could test out the site in IE6. Frustrating!

Anyways, most virtual wares are quite expensive except for one: Virtualbox which is free! And it is a great piece of software too supporting many host OS and guest OS. I got it installed and setting up my guest OS was a breeze thanks to a very simple wizard.

When installing the Ubuntu guest OS, I took a Ubuntu LiveCD (I had previously burned this) and popped it in and followed the wizard. During the installation it got stuck at 82% saying it was configuring apts for a good like 15 minutes. I thought it had hanged on me, but it finally it got passed it. I noticed the network adapter was running so it was using the internet to search for applications? Not sure what would happen if the network adaptor was disconnected. In any case, it took a while so you should be prepared to wait a while too when installing.

A better idea is to actually download the latest version of Ubuntu as an iso onto your host machine. And then when you first start your guest os it will ask how you want to install it. You can then choose the CD-ROM and mount an image onto and install from there.

After installing, it would be wise to get the "guest additions" as this improves like mouse handling and the resolution. You can this by going to:

Devices ->Install Guest Additions

And then you should use an image on the desktop which means it has been mounted into the CD rom. And then open up a terminal and type:

sudo /media/cdrom/VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run

It will do some setup and then once it is done restart the virtual machine and you'll use the changes instantly!

Thank you Virtualbox!

Update:

I've found that when you run the ubuntu update, it will end up nullifying the guest additions. And then when you try to re-install the guest additions, it will complain about linux-headers build-essentials needing to be updated.

The way to solve this: sudo aptitude install build-essential linux-headers-`uname -r`

Where `-uname -r` is the version of the linux kernel. Apparently, you can just enter uname -r and it will enter the linux kernel version number for you. But I couldn't get it to work. So I ended up using entering uname -r in the terminal to get the version number displayed and then manually entering that into the command. So it ended up being something like this:

sudo aptitude install build-essential linux-headers-2.6.11-generic (something like that). And should install everything you need. And then try to re-install your guest additions and it should work.

Setting up my Dell Inspiron 1420

Update Nov 28th: So finally done the whole works of reformating my laptop and installing all the drivers. I then proceeded to do all the recommended updates for my windows OS. After that was done, my sister rebooted and then I got this constant BLUESCREEN OF DEATH. Like I couldn't get back into windows. One of the stupid windows updates was causing my laptop to fail to boot. UGH!!!!! I hate computers!!! Anyways to solve this, I turned off automatic download and install of window updates, and chose to select which updates to install. So far I've chosen all the important ones aside from the odd windows mail security updates which I didn't bother because I don't use windows mail. I am not sure exactly what is causing this bluescreen of death. But I am installing the updates in separate groups so if one group fails, then the OS can be restored to the last system restore point which can be done by popping in the OS cd and choosing "repair system"

This latest experience with PCs has actually got me contemplating whether I should be getting a "crapintosh." I hate them...but I can't stand this downtime. It's killing me. I have so much work to do.

Getting my replacement hard drive for my Dell has been a complete pain the butt, but I finally got it done. Now the next ignoring part is to reinstall all the drivers/programs. For the first time, I decided to call Dell to get the "correct" way to install everything. So here is a documentation of the steps that I took:

Assuming that the hard drive has been wiped clean of data and we are starting a completely new install of the OS

• Pop in the Dell Media Direct CD and let the computer boot from it. When prompt on the selection, choose the 1st option which is to partition everything to the C: drive and then let it do this. This will create a partition D: which has about 3 GB for the Dell Media Direct which allows you to play movies and DVDs. (Don't really have to do this, but apparently if I don't I won't be able to play DVDs unless I find a decoder.


• After the Dell Media Direct has been installed, pop in the OS and let the system boot from that CD. Follow the instructions until you reach the partition screen. You should see two partitions. One with the Media Direct, and another containing everything else. You delete the one partition that is NOT media direct. You can then choose to re-setup a partition and extend from it. And then choose to have the OS installed at one of the new partitions.
  
  

  The technician told me to delete and then re-setup a partition. I have no idea why we have to do this, but I just followed his advice.



• After the OS is installed, then let the system boot up and pop in the drivers CD.
  Now install these drivers in this order:
  
  

  Always choose to restart later unless specified.

  
  
  
  
  1. Notebook system (under Utilities)
  
  
  2. Intel Chipset Driver
  
  
  3. Rioch
  
  
  4. Video (should be at the bottom)
  
  
  5. Restart the computer now
  
  
  6. Audio
  
  
  7. Webcam
  
  
  8. Touchpad
  
  
  9. Broadcom (Network)
  
  
  10. Dell wireless - except in US, Japan (Network)
  
  
  11. Quickset
  
  
  12. Dell wireless bluetooh
  
  
  
  


• After all these drivers have been installed, restart the system again.


• After the system has been rebooted, put into the media direct CD and then follow the instructions to let it install. It will take awhile depending on the size of te hard drive. But once you are done installing that, your system is ready to go!