virtualbox.org

i've installed virtualbox, version 2.0.4, with an ubuntu machine on it, and my OS is Windows Vista home basic edition.
when i try to start the "ubuntubox", Windows spits out a message that "VirtualBox.exe has stopped working", and when i close the message the program keeps running, but "ubuntubox" status says "cancelled".
i've tried to make it work under the admin's account, but then it didn't even start, but gave a message:
"VirtualBox - Critical Error
Failed to create the VirtyalBox COM object.
The application will now terminate.
Could not lock the settings file "c\users\anonim\.VirtualBox\VirtualBox.xml" (VERR_SHARING_VIOLATION).
Result Code: E_FAIL (0x80004005)
Component: VirtualBox
Interface: IVirtualBox {557a07bc-e6ae-4520-a361-4a8493199137}"
well, i'm new to this kind of stuff, so sorry if i'm just acting stupid (: i'd be really glad if someone could help.
or should i just drop the idea and install it on a XP machine?..

I don't know that going to XP is the answer. I have an Ubuntu Hardy virtual machine running nicely under Vista. Up until recently, that is. About a week ago, I installed the suggested updates in Ubuntu and seamless mode stopped working for me. I don't know exactly what broke it yet, but the Ubuntu virtual machine is still quite usable.

When you start the Ubuntu vbox, do you see the "bios" type window, with the guy sitting on the bench with his see-through laptop? Or does it crash before that?

no, it doesn't even get to that point, it crashes instantly, all i see is a black window, a message about auto capture keyboard option (:p), and then the message about VirtualBox stopping.
after closing the windows message, the ubuntubox is aborted, but the program is still runing.

Have you tried to reinstall VB? Either by running the installer again and select install or repair, or remove it, reboot and install it, then reboot again.