virtualbox: how to create a linux virtual machine
DESCRIPTION
Create a new Virtual Machine (VM), with “Linux” as type and “Other Linux” as version. I selected Other Linux (32 bit), because I’m installing from a 32 bit DVD ISO image.TRANSCRIPT
VirtualBox: How to create a Linux Virtual Machine.
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Open VirtualBox. Click the new button on the top left toolbar button to create a new virtual machine image.
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Create a new Virtual Machine (VM), with “Linux” as type and “Other Linux” as version. I selected Other Linux (32 bit), because I’m installing from a 32 bit DVD ISO image.
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Assign as much memory as you realistically can to the VM. 1024 MB is sufficient.
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Create a virtual hard drive.
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Select VDI (Virtual Disk Image) as drive type.
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Select Fixed size as storage type. This prevents many issues and problems if installing to a VM using a Linux ISO file.
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I chose 24 GB for the size of this drive, however Slackware will install successfully on a 16 GB VM drive.
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VirtualBox then creates the storage unit.
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Right-click the new VM image and select Settings.
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Check Hardware clock settings. Some Linux/*nix installs prefer the Hardware clock in UTC time option enabled.
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Many installations of Linux will fail unless the Enable PAE/NX option is clicked on. This is found inside the Processor tab under System.
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Don’t forget to add the Linux ISO file as a secondary master drive.
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Network settings. Ensure Enable Network Adapter is checked if you need networking or Internet capability working in the Linux VM.
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USB controller settings.
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Click the Run button on the toolbar to begin installation.
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VirtualBox dialog instructing the user to strike the right Ctrl key to toggle VM capture of keyboard and mouse input.
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Press Enter key to begin installation...
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Login as root, then run cfdisk to create a new Linux partition.
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Create a New partition...
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Ensure the FS type is Linux, then toggle the partition Bootable.
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In cfdisk, Write the partition and Exit when finished. Type setup at the prompt, then Select source installation media.
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Install from a Slackware DVD.
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Scan for the DVD drive...
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...then select the Linux partition as target.
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Quick format is recommended for Linux VM’s.
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I chose to format my partition as a ext4 filesystem.
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Formatting is complete and mount point added to /etc/fstab.
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Begin the install, I chose to install the full distro.
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Innumerable package names flash on the screen during installation.
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Skip creation of a USB boot stick as they are useless for VirtualBox Linux VM’s.
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Install LILO automatically.
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Chose frame buffer console.
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Hit Enter when prompted for optional LILO parameters.
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To be safe, select No UTF-8 console. This does not effect X or window managers such as KDE.
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Install LILO to Master Boot Record. This enables your Linux VM to boot after it is “turned on.”
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Mouse settings. You will most likely need to change this from the default PS/2 Intellimouse to “USB connected mouse.”
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Select Yes to enable gpm (general purpose mouse).
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Configure network.
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Enter hostname.
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Enter domain name.
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I chose DHCP for network configuration type.
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Hit Enter for DHCP hostname.
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Confirm setup.
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Chose startup services, I hit OK to run the default services. These can always be changed later if needed.
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No custom screen fonts.
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Choose the appropriate hardware clock setting.
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Chose your favorite window manager.
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Installation is finished, and you may now run the Slackware Linux VM inside VirtualBox.
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