[Solved] wiping system, re-instating the VMs afterward, how?

[JammyB]

hi!

i run VitualBox on Windows 10 with 3 VMs [2x win10, 1x Ubuntu]. VMs are stored on a seaprate SSD to the OS SSD. i want to wipe the OS [i've broken something and get bluescreens] but i've never re-instated a VM before let alone 3. i just wondered what the process is after i've wiped the OS, installed VirtualBox, how i add back in my 3no existing VMs.

hardware isn't changing, only the software.

thank you!

[socratis]

See the FAQ "Moving a VM" and interpret it as "Backing up a VM" or "Copying a VM".

For a complete VirtualBox backup, you should also back up the "VirtualBox.xml" file. The location of that file depends on the host, see ch. 10.1. Where VirtualBox stores its files of the User Manual. It contains your registered VMs, your VirtualBox preferences.

The easiest way would be to unmount the extra SSD, reinstall your host, install VirtualBox and before even running it, restore the "C:\Users\<you>\.VirtualBox\" file. Just because the VirtualBox.xml file contains all your VMs and settings, you would simply launch VirtualBox and everything would be as you left it...

[JammyB]

sounds perfect. certainly takes the worry out of the equation.

thanks for the advice. will look to do this when i get home this evening.

regards,

James

[Rootman]

I've done this many times and the linked docs make it easy.

I cam e to say this. I would highly suggest that you remove the SSD that your VMs are on before doing the OS reinstall. Windows occasionally will do something really stupid and screw up a secondary drive when doing a reinstall of the OS. I once had it goof up my second drive and had to restore my VMs from a backup that I take once a week. This was back in the Windows 7 days but I've always taken this precaution since then when redoing an OS with an attached second drive.

[JammyB]

Ok.

So currently my OS SSD won’t boot. Nor be recognised by bios.
I can access it via USB plugged into my laptop. But whilst everything is there folder wise. All folders are empty.
As it stands. I’ve lost all my user data where virtual box configs are stored.
If I format this drive and manage to get it working again. How do I then re-add in my VMs that are located on another drive when I have the config file only the VDI files etc.

Advice would be appreciated!

[scottgus1]

OK, one step at a time:

I can access it via USB plugged into my laptop. But whilst everything is there folder wise. All folders are empty.

Is this laptop the computer you just reinstalled the main bare-metal OS on?

Nor be recognised by bios.

Which bios?

If your Virtualbox guests are still on that drive, then this:

If I format this drive and manage to get it working again.

Will definitely toast them.
You may not be dead in the water, but thrashing about has a high probablilty of getting you there. Take it nice and slow...

[JammyB]

OS SSD - windows 10 (so main host)
^^^ can’t access files on it.
Virtual box installed on it.

VM SSD - D:\
^^^^ separate SSD where I kept the VMs.
This drive is unaffected.

I’ve wiped another SSD and installed windows 10.
If I install virtual box on to it.
How do I add my VMs from D:\ back into it when I don’t have the user files (xml) (mentioned above). I only have what the VM made.

For a complete VirtualBox backup, you should also back up the "VirtualBox.xml" file. The location of that file depends on the host, see ch. 10.1. Where VirtualBox stores its files of the User Manual. It contains your registered VMs, your VirtualBox preferences.

The easiest way would be to unmount the extra SSD, reinstall your host, install VirtualBox and before even running it, restore the "C:\Users\<you>\.VirtualBox\" file. Just because the VirtualBox.xml file contains all your VMs and settings, you would simply launch VirtualBox and everything would be as you left it...

[scottgus1]

Each guest folder contains a .vbox file (You will need to make the host OS show all extensions, google for how.) You can double-click this .vbox file, and all of the guest's settings will automatically populate back into the new installation of Virtualbox.

Losing the main Virtualbox.xml file isn't as devestating as it might sound, this file just keeps the settings you might make in the main Virtualbox window's File menu Preferences. Your guests will come back by doubleclicking the .vbox's. Any fancy network settings and host-key combinations you may have made will have to be re-made, that's all.

[JammyB]

That did it.

Phew.

Didn’t want to click anything before seeing answers.

[scottgus1]

Good! Glad you're running well again.