[Solved] System Resinstall

[aescott]

I had a major problem with my system last week, resulting in me re-installing openSuse (and upgrading to 11.1 64-bit).

I have re-installed VirtualBox (version 2.2.4 because it's what I had before). I've been able to copy my backed-up data from my external drive and have been able to re-access my virtual machine (Windows XP). However, the XP guest seems to be an older version of the system - I had made a number of changes, such as removing software and so on, which have re-appeared in my guest system. Is it possible to restore the more recent "versions" of the system? I don't understand why the back-up gives me an older version of the system.

The de-installation of the software doesn't give me any issue; however, I have some software which requires a licence key each time it registers a system change. It is prompting me for a key, and I'd rather get back to the "current" version of the guest system (which had the software all registered and functioning) than go through the process of getting a new key. Before you ask - the key prompt is re-generated with each change and the key that I have does not unlock the software.

[vbox4me2]

Looks like you did not backup the snapshots...

[aescott]

I did back up the snapshots - but I'm not sure how I add the snapshots to the new installation. How do I access them?

[Sasquatch]

You probably had snapshots, and unless you restore them properly too, including the XML tree settings, they won't work. If you created a full backup of your .virtualbox folder, then restoring that should be enough.

In order to restore them, pick a VM that has snapshots and look at how that is configured in the VM XML settings. Copy the corresponding parts and adjust for the snapshots that are part of the VM.

[aescott]

OK -thanks. I'll give that a go.

[baf]

Also if you have tried using the main vdi restore that again.
Any usage of if will break the snapshot chain and hopefully give a machine abort at boot.

[aescott]

Great - I had it all working, with deleted snapshots etc, rebooting Windows and checking everything was OK and it was - and now - nothing! I haven't touched VB and it now just gives me the bouncy VB icon and then nothing at all. I'm re-installing VB from the Sun website, but does anyone know how to check for error messages? I am getting nothing on my screen.

[vbox4me2]

Did you do things and are now doing things with different local users?

[aescott]

The only thing I did was to edit my .bash_rc file but I reverted to the original version.....which may have been pre-VB install...and would explain why root (with its own .bash_rc file) works....Where's the Homer Simpson icon when you need it?

I'm re-installing and I hope that fixes the problem....After that, I'm going to slam my fingers in a desk drawer in an effort to stop me mucking about with the system.

[aescott]

Working again...I've learned a lot this past week! Changing file ownership, bash shell commands and so on. Glad it's all working again.

Thanks to all who assisted in various ways.

[vbox4me2]

After that, I'm going to slam my fingers in a desk drawer in an effort to stop me mucking about with the system.