virtualbox.org

I have been trying to install the guest additions into my Ubuntu 9.10 guest OS, my host is Linux Mint 8.

I have read the 'how to' guide but am not getting the same messages or errors mentioned there.
I am not having a problem with Kernel, i have DKMS, I am clicking on 'install guest additions' sometimes the CD image doesnt show up so I click on mount the cd image (from the VB menu above the actual VM) and manage to get it showing as mounted on the guest desktop.

i have also gone into the actual VBoxlinuxAdditions folder (having doubleclicked on the actual cd image displayed on the guest desktop and tried double clicking on the actual -x86.run file and get the options of either run, run in terminal and so on, the problem is when running I get a background terminal window saying all is ok but then it stops and says it must be run with administrator priviledges.

Its all very well going on about go to the folder in a terminal and try running it that way for someone who is familiar with Linux terminal gibberish but I am new to linux and just cant get this damn thing to install. i have also tried the commands like sh ./VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run but get "can't be found" messages. I am surely missing something blatantly obvious and would really appreciate any reply in plain English / newbie speak.

Read the howto in the linux guest area.

And if there are problems, then come back withe xact infos, input and output word by word.

Let's try this step-by-step then.

• Start the Ubuntu guest. (I am assuming that you have the desktop version).
  Open a terminal.
  Type sudo -i <press enter> (enter your password) <press enter>
  type apt-get update <press enter>
  type apt-get upgrade <press enter>
  after this reboot
  Open the terminal again.
  Type sudo -i <press enter> (enter your password) <press enter>
  Type apt-get install linux-headers-generic <press enter>
  Type apt-get install build-essential <press enter>
  Now look up at the top left of the VBox window and click devices then click install guest additions.
  If they do not show on the desktop then click devices and unmount CD, then click install guest additions again.
  At this point they should be on your desktop. Dbl click to open the CD.
  Look for the Linux Guess Additions that fits you install. More than likely the VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run
  Position the terminal windows and the opened file system to where you can see them both.
  Click and drag the right additions file and drop it on the terminal window.
  Click on the terminal window to get focus and hit enter.
  Watch for any errors that show and when they are complete reboot.
  Let me know if you encounter any errors. If all is well you use the click drag to make the window bigger or use the host+F toggle to go in and out of full screen

PerryG, thank you very much indeed for your truly great answer

I simply dragged the 'run' file into the terminal, used the back scroll key to get to beginning of text/command line, typed sudo before it, hit enter and it all worked fine, totally installed with NO errors at all, so thank you very much, I had no idea that you could drag items into the terminal like that.

I had a feeling that my Kernel generic and build essential were already there because I had updated everything in the guest Ubuntu before so I didnt need to do that first 2 steps.
Once again thanks Perry.

Mod Edit: Comment not needed. Enjoy VirtualBox!

My guide stated this very clearly that you needed to run it from a terminal in the first place, how come you missed this? Please reply so I can make the guide more fool-proof.