UH.LEE.KA » VirtualBox

VirtualBox 3.1 – Install Windows XP Guest on Ubuntu 9.04 Host

uhleeka — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:50:54 +0000

VirtualBox 3.1 significantly changed the way that harddisks, dvd/cd drives and floppies are mounted. The following steps are to install Windows XP as a guest on an Ubuntu 9.04 host with a IntelAhci SATA controller.

Make sure you download the Windows XP Intel SATA Drivers and unzip to extract “F32.IMA”.

sudo -i

To begin the install process, do the following steps:

Create a new VirtualMachine.
Add three controllers (sata, ide, floppy).
Attach the Intel SATA floppy and the Windows XP dvd iso.
Set the memory, boot order and bridged network connection.

VBoxManage createhd --filename /srv/virtualbox/harddisks/CHANGEME.vdi --size 20480 \
    --variant Standard
VBoxManage createvm --name CHANGEME --ostype "WindowsXP" --register \
    --basefolder /srv/virtualbox/machines
VBoxManage storagectl CHANGEME --name "SATA Controller" --add sata \
    --controller IntelAhci
VBoxManage storageattach CHANGEME --storagectl "SATA Controller" \
    --port 0 --device 0 --type hdd \
    --medium /srv/virtualbox/harddisks/CHANGEME.vdi
VBoxManage storagectl CHANGEME --name "IDE Controller" --add ide
VBoxManage storagectl CHANGEME --name "Floppy Controller" --add floppy
VBoxManage storageattach CHANGEME --storagectl "IDE Controller" \
    --port 0 --device 0 --type dvddrive \
    --medium "/srv/virtualbox/isos/WindowsXP_sp3.iso"
VBoxManage storageattach CHANGEME --storagectl "Floppy Controller" \
    --port 0 --device 0 --type fdd --medium /srv/virtualbox/floppy/F32.IMA
VBoxManage modifyvm CHANGEME --memory 1024 --nic1 bridged --bridgeadapter1 eth0 \
    --boot1 dvd --boot2 disk --boot3 none --boot4 none

Start the VM using a specified port (8888) for VRDP. You will then be able to attach via RDP to the Host IP on the specified port.

VBoxHeadless --startvm CHANGEME --vrdpport 8888 --vrdp on &

When the Windows XP installation begins, Hit F6 during setup and select the Intel(R) 82801HEM/HBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E/M) driver. Proceed with the Windows XP install until reboot is required.

At some point, post install, you may optionally take the following steps:

Eject the Windows XP dvd iso.
Attach (and then install) the VirtualBox Guest Additions dvd iso.
Eject the Intel SATA floppy. Note: it can only be ejected while the machine is powered off; it should be ejected because it will otherwise be locked, such that other VM’s cannot use it.
Change the boot order.

VBoxManage storageattach CHANGEME --storagectl "IDE Controller" \
    --port 0 --device 0 --medium none
VBoxManage storageattach CHANGEME --storagectl "IDE Controller" \
    --port 0 --device 0 --type dvddrive \
    --medium /usr/share/virtualbox/VBoxGuestAdditions.iso 
VBoxManage storageattach CHANGEME --storagectl "FLOPPY Controller" \
    --port 0 --device 0 --type fdd --medium none
VBoxManage modifyvm CHANGEME --boot1 disk --boot2 none

Don’t forget to run windows updates!

VirtualBox BSOD p3.sys

uhleeka — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:29:31 +0000

After converting a physical machine to .vmdk via VMWare Converter, I got a BSOD indicating that there was a problem with p3.sys when trying to boot. The Windows XP system was running on a PII 600mHz Dell Optiplex from the year 2000.

To fix, boot in Safe Mode and run the following at a command prompt:

sc config p3 start= disabled

Install Windows XP Guest on Ubuntu 9.04 Host

uhleeka — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:46:26 +0000

Create a Windows XP VirtualBox guest from scratch using a SATA harddrive.

Download the Windows XP Intel SATA Drivers and unzip to extract F32.IMA
Hit F6 during setup to select the Intel(R) 82801HEM/HBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E/M)

sudo -i

VBoxManage createhd --filename /srv/virtualbox/harddisks/CHANGEME.vdi --size 20480 \
    --variant Standard
VBoxManage createvm --name CHANGEME --ostype "WindowsXP" --register \
    --basefolder /srv/virtualbox/machines
VBoxManage modifyvm CHANGEME --memory 1024 \
    --boot1 dvd --boot2 disk --boot3 none --boot4 none \
    --sata on --sataportcount 1 \
    --sataport1 /srv/virtualbox/harddisks/CHANGEME.vdi \
    --dvd /srv/virtualbox/iso/WindowsXP_sp3.iso \
    --floppy /srv/virtualbox/floppy/F32.IMA \
    --nic1 bridged --bridgeadapter1 eth0

Start the VM without a gui (note: the ampersand executes the command and returns you to the prompt)

VBoxHeadless --startvm CHANGEME &

Start the VM without a gui and without VRDP (after you have loaded the os and configured remote desktop accessability).

VBoxHeadless --startvm CHANGEME --vrdp off &

Stop the VM in a saved state

VBoxManage controlvm CHANGEME savestate

Power off the VM (like pulling the plug)

VBoxManage controlvm CHANGEME poweroff