virtualbox additions install on windows 7/ubuntu 9.0.4

[randalf72]

Hi,

I've been having some problems installing the additions within Ubuntu 9.0.4.

Having had a look at some of the previous posts on this subject and the FAQ I suspect I have a slightly different problem to that encountered by others.

when I attempt to install guest additions from the top menu bar the machine obviously tries as a icon appears at the bottom of the screen for a few seconds before vanishing. I get a similar scenario whenever I try and open any location from the top menu bar.

Ho hum, time for terminal.

navigate to /cdrom and find that the additions .run files are present as would be expected.

try to SH the relevent .run file as superuser, nothing is echoed to the screen. Try to do it as current user and there is some extraction of the file before an abort message is printed due to me not being an administrator.

I've followed the guides given in the FAQ and all I can think of now is that either i'm missing something fundemental or ther is some kind of incompatibility as a result of windows 7.

can anyone help with my education on this problem please

randalf

[Perryg]

There are some pre-requisites that must be met before you can install the guest additions on a Linux OS.
Ubuntu will require that you have the header and build files. This can be achieved by typing this in a terminal window using your login.

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-generic

After that you will need to mount the CD with the guest addition iso.
The easiest way to do this is to click install guest additions in the device tab of the window. This will mount the cd to the desktop.
Then you can double click the mount and it should open in a file manager window.
Now open a terminal window and type sudo -i <enter> put in your password <enter>
Then drag the file from the file manager window and drop it on the terminal window and press <enter>
Watch for any errors and note them so you can repair anything that would keep the guest additions form installing.
If all goes well you will need to reboot the guest and everything should work.

[randalf72]

PerryG

Thank you, it would appear that you have hit the nail on the head.

managed the install through terminal.

still puzzled why I can't navigate graphically though, but that's a problem for another day

randalf

[Perryg]

Most Windows users don't understand why. Linux users do! Has to do with security and the fact that most Linux users are gear heads and like to be able to control their machines instead of their machines controlling them.