Setting up problem

Discussions about using Mac OS X guests (on Apple hardware) in VirtualBox.
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

Hi All,
My problem is that when I upgraded to Catalina, on my iMac, I lost the use of a 32 bit app (Tassman) which I really miss very much.
I have tried to access the app via Wine - without success, so this is what I am trying to achieve with VB.
I have followed the set up procedure as far as page 11 in the User Guide & have set up a VM (Pics/Log to follow in next post)
but can't seem to raise the First Start Wizard, as mentioned on page 12.
Any help, as to where I'm going wrong would be much appreciated.

VirtualBox v.6.0.24
Host: iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
Guest OS: Mac OS X (32-bit)
(Pics/Log to follow in next post).

Many thanks.
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Setting up problem

Post by scottgus1 »

Please use the forum's Upload Attachment tab to post the pictures and logs. Zipped logs fit, and Mac's bedquilt-size Retina screenshots should be shrunk by 50% so they fit on the forum easily.
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Re: Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

Hi scottgus1 - O.K. Will do. Many thanks. :D
iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Re: Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

Hi All,

Please see attachments from previous post:

VirtualMachine#1-2020-09-24-15-34-18.log.zip
(21.11 KiB) Downloaded 18 times
VirtualBox.Screenshot 2020-09-24 at 15.34.45 copy.png
VirtualBox.Screenshot 2020-09-24 at 15.34.45 copy.png (76.55 KiB) Viewed 4196 times
Many thanks.
iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Setting up problem

Post by mpack »

I was expecting to see a setup ISO in the VM, i.e. the image of an install DVD. Do you have that?

[HowTo] Create OSX ISO from the OSX Install app.

Also, the log appears to be incomplete: never copy files out of an app that's still running. The app (VirtualBox) needs to be closed first, that ensures that the file is complete.
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Re: Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

Hi mpack, Thanks for the reply.

(Please bear with me - this is not an area that I have much understanding of).
I was expecting to see a setup ISO in the VM, i.e. the image of an install DVD. Do you have that?
I didn't use a DVD in the setting up process so far - I just followed the instructions in the User Guide.
never copy files out of an app that's still running.


Sorry - not sure how to access the log when the app is turned off.
iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Setting up problem

Post by mpack »

JackOats wrote:Sorry - not sure how to access the log when the app is turned off.
If "the app" means the manager then that isn't what I meant. The VM is a separate program from the manager, it is the VM that is creating log files, and it is the VM that must be closed down before you properly can access the logs. Keeping the manager open is fine if you want that.

The need for an install ISO is mentioned in section 1.8.1, which is on page 11 of the 6.1.14 guide.

I suspect that all you did so far was create a simulated PC which would be compatible with an OS X guest. VirtualBox doesn't come with pre-made installs of all those OS it suppports, that would be one mighty copyright lawsuit. You have to install your OS yourself, from your own installer DVD image (i.e. ISO image, which in the case of MacOS you have to create as VirtualBox VMs don't easily allow booting from a virtual USB stick).
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Re: Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

it is the VM that is creating log files, and it is the VM that must be closed down before you properly can access the logs.
O.K. Thanks.
Closed down the VM & accessed the logs again:
VirtualMachine#1-2020-09-25-11-56-42.log.zip
(28.56 KiB) Downloaded 17 times
Hope this helps.
iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Re: Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

Actually, when I open the VM from the logo in my dock, I get the following message (see attachment).
Screenshot 2020-09-24 at 11.41.29.png
Screenshot 2020-09-24 at 11.41.29.png (90.11 KiB) Viewed 4183 times
As you can see I tried various combinations of the name I had given to the VM (VirtualMachine#1) but I couldn't seem to get it right.
iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Setting up problem

Post by mpack »

Thanks for the log, that does now seem to be complete. Your VM is not getting past the early boot, so I suspect you have not installed an OS as I already mentioned.

I also notice that you have not selected a specific variant of MacOS to match your install DVD, please do so. You should install the host extension pack too.

And are you really creating a 32bit VM? Do you understand that 64bit Macs can run 32bit software too, at least until Apple withdrew the feature in Catalina?

Why is the VM name important to you? What is not "right" about it?

Please answer a straight question: did you install MacOS yet? I don't mean did you create the VM receptacle, I mean did you install an OS inside it.
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Re: Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

O.K. Thanks.

Just working through your recommendations - step by step.
I also notice that you have not selected a specific variant of MacOS to match your install DVD, please do so.
In Settings/General/Version, on the VirtualBox Manager, I have selected macOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)
but I do not have an install DVD?
You should install the host extension pack too.
I have upgraded to VirtualBox v. 6.1.14 & downloaded the Extension Pack.
And are you really creating a 32bit VM?
As mentioned above, I have now selected Sierra (64-bit).
Why is the VM name important to you? What is not "right" about it?
Sorry - not sure what you mean here. I have called my VM VirtualMachine#1 but it could be anything really - I don't mind.
did you install MacOS yet? I don't mean did you create the VM receptacle, I mean did you install an OS inside it.
Well, I'm really not sure, I thought I had - this is all new to me.

Maybe you are right to suspect I have not installed the OS.
iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Setting up problem

Post by mpack »

It should be easy to know. Assuming you didn't download an illegal ready made VM (in which case conversation about it here would end), and if you didn't go through the process of creating an install ISO as linked above then you can't have installed an OS.

A blank PC will not be useful to you, so if you still want to proceed then you need to create that ISO, start again in VirtualBox, and install the OS from the ISO.

You mention that you selected the Sierra template. Fine, so now you need to take your Sierra installer (presumably on USB?) and copy it to an ISO image by following the tutorial.

If you don't have an installer for any MacOS version then you can't install it.


If I might suggest: why not download any of the freely available Linux ISO installers (Ubuntu and Mint are popular choices), and try installing that in a VM? This will get you more familiar with what to expect when installing an OS into a VM, before you tackle the slightly more involved MacOS install. And maybe Linux even has free equivalents of those 32bit apps you want to use.
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Re: Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

Hi mpack,

Thanks for the reply.

I took your advice & started a new VM.
I downloaded the Sierra ISO image file from an internet site & managed to load it up, I think,
NewMacOS.Screenshot 2020-09-26 at 12.30.35.png
NewMacOS.Screenshot 2020-09-26 at 12.30.35.png (70.09 KiB) Viewed 4137 times
but when I click on Continue the following error window appears:


Can I go back to the VM manager & increase the size somehow?
Attachments
NotEnoughSpace.Screenshot 2020-09-26 at 12.17.41.png
NotEnoughSpace.Screenshot 2020-09-26 at 12.17.41.png (73.5 KiB) Viewed 4137 times
iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Setting up problem

Post by scottgus1 »

You can increase the guest disk size, if that's what the error is talking about, or RAM, if the host has room. You can select the guest disk in the main Virtualbox window's File menu, Virtual Media Manager, then increase the disk size.
JackOats
Posts: 25
Joined: 23. Sep 2020, 22:49
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: MacOS 10.12 Sierra (64-bit)

Re: Setting up problem

Post by JackOats »

Ahh. Thankyou.
Will give it a try.
iMac 27/Catalina/3.5 GBh Intel Core i7/16 GB Ram/3 TB HD
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