first time user with virtual box

[tommytoad]

Hello
I am completly new to virtual box, and just looking at the user guide seems complicated.
On another forum i was asking advice on how to create a vista PE cd, but with my limited knowledge was guided here.
So i am completly new with no expereience, the only thing i have done is create a vista recovery options cd, and wanted to progress from that.

I have not actually downloaded virtual box yet, but i take it i should download the VirtualBox 3.0.4 for Windows hosts x86/amd64 .
If this is the right one., i have also downloaded the user guide, which i have just started on.

I have windows vista sp2,32 bit.

As you can see i have to ask the question about what version to download.

Any advice for a complete newbie, about using virtual box, as i said i have the user guide and can follow that for installing etc

[Sasquatch]

Since you have no idea yet what you're going to do, or what VB really is, I advise you to read the VirtualBox FAQ and learn what VirtualBox is, and does.
I've never heard that we can create Windows PE discs, can you quote (or link) the response you get from the other forum? That way, we know if VB is suited for what you want to do.

[tommytoad]

Since you have no idea yet what you're going to do, or what VB really is, I advise you to read the VirtualBox FAQ and learn what VirtualBox is, and does.
I've never heard that we can create Windows PE discs, can you quote (or link) the response you get from the other forum? That way, we know if VB is suited for what you want to do.

Thanks sasquatch, yes here is the link which led me to here

http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.p ... entry76143

[Sasquatch]

Ah, now I see. You created a PE disc for recovery purposes, and need to test it. All what these guys on the other forums advise you, is to try it out on a virtual machine, so your real system doesn't get fried when you do something wrong. After you install VirtualBox (the one you downloaded, you use Windows after all, there is no other option for download), create a new virtual machine and put the created disc as CD/DVD. If you have the ISO, that's best because it's a lot faster than a normal disc, but with the read disc, you will know if it's bootable or not. Start the VM and see what happens. You should get your recovery environment you created.

[tommytoad]

Ah, now I see. You created a PE disc for recovery purposes, and need to test it. All what these guys on the other forums advise you, is to try it out on a virtual machine, so your real system doesn't get fried when you do something wrong. After you install VirtualBox (the one you downloaded, you use Windows after all, there is no other option for download), create a new virtual machine and put the created disc as CD/DVD. If you have the ISO, that's best because it's a lot faster than a normal disc, but with the read disc, you will know if it's bootable or not. Start the VM and see what happens. You should get your recovery environment you created.

Hello sasquatch
I have not actually created the vistaPE recovery cd yet.

create a new virtual machine and put the created disc as CD/DVD. If you have the ISO, that's best because it's a lot faster than a normal disc,

Are we talking virtually here
This seems strange, as i say i will have to read the FAQs and those other links you have given me.

Yes as i say i wanted to create a vistaPE bootable recovery cd, even though i do not know how to create one, so i am still confused how i can try this out on a virtual machine if i don't know how to create one.
I will probably get there in the end, but i must take my time as all this is completly new to me

[Sasquatch]

Well, you use VirtualBox to test the result you get from the howto's you follow for creating a VistaPE disc.
So, create your PE disc as per howto's, then test it on the VM.

Are we talking virtually here
This seems strange, as i say i will have to read the FAQs and those other links you have given me.

Hard disk to hard disk is just much faster than CD/DVD to hard disk. Have you ever installed Windows 9x from CD and later on the same machine from hard drive (copied the setup files to hard drive, start installation from there)? You will get your system ready when it's on hard drive a lot faster. Even in current days, my VM is installed faster from ISO than when I would install my system from a physical disc. Just a matter of throughput.

[tommytoad]

Well, you use VirtualBox to test the result you get from the howto's you follow for creating a VistaPE disc.
So, create your PE disc as per howto's, then test it on the VM.

OK sasquatch, i will go ahead and download VB, and i will read the links you gave me, and see how i get on from there.
If i get stuck on anything, shall i post back on this forum.

Thanks for you advice by the way

PS..Is this the version to download just checking....VirtualBox 3.0.4 for Windows hosts x86/amd64

[vbox4me2]

Yes thats the one.

[tommytoad]

Yes thats the one.

Great, well i have mamaged to download it, with no problems.......

Just a bit confused with this part

3. Next, you must specify a virtual hard disk for your VM.
There are many and potentially complicated ways in which VirtualBox can provide
hard disk space to a VM (see chapter 5, Virtual storage, page 75 for details),
but the most common way is to use a large image file on your “real” hard disk,
whose contents VirtualBox presents to your VM as if it were a complete hard
disk.

but the most common way is to use a large image file on your “real” hard disk,
whose contents VirtualBox presents to your VM as if it were a complete hard
disk

I am not sure really what to put in, so can i just put the 2048mb as it states in the user guide, that doe's sound enough anyway..

Just a reminder that i am trying to create a vistaPE recovery cd.

[Sasquatch]

As I stated, the disc you're going to create can be tested with VB, it CANNOT be created with it. That's where those other guides are for.

When you're creating a VM for the testing purpose, which I guess would be to test the recovery method of restoring the Acronis image to a hard drive, is to follow the wizard, give it what you want (RAM can be set to 512 or 1024 MB, depending how much RAM your system has) and when you get to the hard disk part, give it a good size, so the image can fit on it. It won't be of much good if the image is made for a 20 GB drive, and you have the VM 10 GB.

[tommytoad]

As I stated, the disc you're going to create can be tested with VB, it CANNOT be created with it. That's where those other guides are for.

When you're creating a VM for the testing purpose, which I guess would be to test the recovery method of restoring the Acronis image to a hard drive, is to follow the wizard, give it what you want (RAM can be set to 512 or 1024 MB, depending how much RAM your system has) and when you get to the hard disk part, give it a good size, so the image can fit on it. It won't be of much good if the image is made for a 20 GB drive, and you have the VM 10 GB.

OK sasquatch, i have created the VM, so just trying to go on from there, and figure out what you do.
I could do with a little advice.
I have the user giude open, when i am doing this,and have printed certain pages out, so do i just follow Chapter 3/ 3.3 "Basics of virtual machine configuration" is there anything i should be aware of when following this section.

"getting there" slowly

[Sasquatch]

Why don't you read it first, then if it's unclear ask questions about it? It's a manual, there isn't much to 'be aware' of.

I was lying a bit btw about VB not being able to create the PE disc. VB itself can't, but you can install a VM in it where you install the tools for your purpose. But that's the same idea as creating it on the Host.

[tommytoad]

Why don't you read it first, then if it's unclear ask questions about it? It's a manual, there isn't much to 'be aware' of.

Well, you use VirtualBox to test the result you get from the howto's you follow for creating a VistaPE disc.
So, create your PE disc as per howto's, then test it on the VM.

I ll try and create this actual VistaPE disc first sasquatch, then i'll come back here.

Just one more thing.

page 37 of the user guide
CD/DVD-Rom section, i am stuck as to what to put here, page 37,38.
in order to install your guest operating system
I dont an actual cd or dvd, so i carn't put anything into the hosts cd/dvd drive

I have not downloaded any installation media in the form of an ISO image file also

[Sasquatch]

That's where you put your Vista PE ISO when you're done with creating it. You can test it that way without the need to burn it to a CD/DVD first. It can save discs that way (unless you would use rewritable discs), because you know it works or doesn't, and if it works, if it works as you want or not.

[tommytoad]

That's where you put your Vista PE ISO when you're done with creating it. You can test it that way without the need to burn it to a CD/DVD first. It can save discs that way (unless you would use rewritable discs), because you know it works or doesn't, and if it works, if it works as you want or not.

ARRR RIGHT, got the picture now sasquatch, at least on that part may-be.
OK, i will go of and try to create the VistaPE cd, "which could take a while" the way things are going.

Thanks for keeping me on track with this sasquatch, and have not given up on me.
Ill be back sooner or later.