virtualbox.org

Hi,

I just downloaded Virtual Box because I need to run some Windows programs that are not available for my Mac. Is there any possibility of passing a virus to the host system (Mac OS) if the virtual system becomes infected? Or will just the virtual system have to be disinfected or re-initialized? One of the reasons I switched to Mac is because of viruses and wouldn't want it to get infected.

I was installing Windows XP as a virtual machine but got to the point where I have to choose where to set up Windows Xp, in a 10Gb partition which I assume is the one created by VirtualBox before, or create a new partition. If I choose to go with the existing partition and it then gives me the following message:

The partition is either too full, damaged, not formatted, or formatted with an incompatible file system. To continue installing Windows, Setup must format this partition.
...

Select the system you want:

Format the partition using the NTFS file system (quick)

Format the partition using the FAT file system (quick)

Format the partition using the NTFS file system

Format the partition using the FAT file system

I could not find anything about this part on your manual so I don't know what the best option would be.

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,

DL

My experience is as follows ...

When asked for an existing partition or a new one, go with a new one. The existing one refers to your current hard disk. This is the reason Windows thinks it's damaged as it is the wrong format.

10GB is the default partition size for a new disk to support the Windows guest environment, you can make it larger if you like depending on the number and size of applications you plan to install.

The file system I used was NTFS (normal Windows file system) ... all works fine

The general wisdom on here is that you do not need anti-virus software unless you plan to access the internet using a browser from the windows environment. There is no sharing by default between the host file system and the guest one, so viruses should not (in theory) spread to the host.

Thanks for your answer, but here are the choices I get:

C: Partition 1 (Unknown) 10229 MB
Unpartitioned Space 8 MB

If I select PArtition 1 it takes me to the page I mentioned: The partition is either too full, damaged, not formatted, or formatted with an incompatible file system. To continue installing Windows, Setup must format this partition....

If I select Unpartitioned Space ENTER it tells me: "The partition or unpartitioned space you selected is too small for Windows XP. Select a partition or unpartitioned space of at least 105 MB.

If I select Unpartitioned Space C (CREATE) it tells me: "The unpartitioned space you selected is reserved for Windows XP Partitioning Information. To create a new partition, go back to the previous screen and then select a different unpartitioned space. The problem is I don´t have any other options...

Again, would appreciate your help.

Thanks,

DL

This is what I see if I go to create a new partition if it helps?

The "Boot Hard Drive (Primary Master)" is my existing iMAC hard drive
I select "Create new Hard Disk"

The box with "Windows XP.vdi" in it is my current Windows XP partition

Do you know where your existing "C: Partition" came form? Have you created this already?
In my version, it suggests that the min size for Win XP is 10240MB, so I am wondering if this new C: partition has been created incorrectly ... thus the 10229Mb size and unpartitioned 8mb

I assume your are on a MAC with a large hard drive?