Need Help Setting Up Virtualization [VirtualBox]

dodos

I'm on a Mac and I opted not to shell out $60 for VMWare Fusion if I have the option to get the same type of virtualization for free from VirtualBox (url).

I'm having trouble setting it up though as I have no experience with virtualized machines. I have a partitioned HD for Windows, so can anyone help lead me through the steps to get it to recognize and virtualize my Windows partition? Any help is very appreciated.

GrimReaper

I strongly urge you not to use the existing windows partition but instead opt to create a virtual machine using a hardfile instead.

You will get all sorts of activation and device manager headaches if you go the route of using your bootcamp partition.

ben0207

Agreed. And VirtualBox sucks, as far as I can see.

ArcticMonkey

ben0207 wrote: »

Agreed. And VirtualBox sucks, as far as I can see.

Have you tried it? I was impressed with how easy it was to use and how fast the emulated OS is (on a CPU supporting the new virtualization stuff).
The only thing I miss is 3d hardware support on the emulated OS.

Dritz

Virtualbox is nice cause it's open source . It'll work fine if you install XP as a virtual hdd but you can't use existing partitions. $60 ain't that much so you should probably go with VMWare. I personally just use bootcamp.

What do you need XP for anyways?

dodos

CS class doesn't have a Mac version of the new library we're using for graphics.

GrimReaper

I tried virtualbox a few months back does it still have the following limitations?

* Can't drag and drop between host and virtual machine
* No snapshot manager

Everything like 64bit etc I already know.

As to other stuff, VMWare Fusion is probably the best virtualisation software on the mac. The bundled anti-virus is fucking stupid though.

Myself, I use Fusion and bootcamp. When I need to run a windows app I use Fusion. When I want to run a windows game I use my windows bootcamp install.

Dritz

If it's for a class I'd personally just stick with regular old boot camp. Would probably enable you to focus better on tasks to.

ZackSchilling

Virtualbox Manual:

Warning: Raw hard disk access is for expert users only. Incorrect use or use
of an outdated configuration can lead to total loss of data on the physical
disk. Most importantly, do not attempt to boot the partition with the cur-
rently running host operating system in a guest. This will lead to severe data
corruption.

Yeah. You might just want to shell out the cash for Fusion. I can also vouch for it being both a great product and working excellently for exactly what you want to do. I used it for tons of programming all senior year of college.

dodos

Problem is - I'm short of cash. If you remember college then you remember that $60 is a lot of money for a program.


I'm also picking up both LittleBigPlanet and Fallout 3 this week..but that's outside of whether or not VirtualBox is worth it. Is VMWare Fusion going to version 3 anytime soon?

Dritz

Just stick with bootcamp. I personally wouldn't even risk using the commercial virtualizers with anything to important. If you must you'll have no problems installing XP with virtualbox, you just can't use an existing partition.