Page 1 of 1

VBOX_USER_HOME environment variable

Posted: 26. Mar 2008, 18:54
by rustleg
I am running Debian Etch with Gnome. I want to use a different directory for my Virtualbox con?guration directory, so according to the manual it says " you can supply an alternate con?guration directory by setting the VBOX_USER_HOME environment variable." I suppose it assumes you know how to set this.

I have added

Code: Select all

export VBOX_USER_HOME=/my/Vbox/Base
to my /home/me/.bashrc file. When I run env in a terminal I can see this variable is defined ok. But Virtualbox doesn't use it for some reason.

I can't find how the Gnome menu item for "Innotek Virtualbox" is launched. I created a separate launcher for the desktop with the command Virtualbox which runs but again doesn't use my custom directory.

This is probably a simple problem for a Linux expert but I haven't been able to find the solution.

Posted: 26. Mar 2008, 20:51
by Sasquatch
Simpelest I would do, is create a symbolic link to the new config folder. I have the same for Wine. Wine insists it uses my home folder, but I don't like that, so I symlinked it to the location where I do want stuff to go to.

Code: Select all

ln -s /path/to/vbox/settings /home/[user]/.virtualbox
Not the way VBox would go, but it works without any problems.

Posted: 27. Mar 2008, 12:00
by rustleg
Thanks Sasquatch,this works fine.

I never considered making a symlink - actually this is the first time I have created a directory symbolic link. You have given me a tool I can think of using in the future. Much appreciated.