virtualbox.org

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.

Looks like you did not backup the snapshots...

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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