Cannot install Linux Guests

[misterjinx]

Hello,

I'm trying to install ubuntu server using virtualbox 4.0.4 in a ubuntu 10.10 host OS. I have the iso image on my hard drive which I used to perform the install. I edited the settings and added this image at the storage section, selected it as a primary master, so I could boot from it and start the install process.

But each time I start the installation, at the very beginning, or if I'm lucky after I click on the install link at the welcome screen, the process hangs and all the computer is blocked. This happened several times already.

I even tried to perform the installation using an old CD I had with the 9.10 server version, thinking that the iso image might be the issue, but the problem still persists.

I even thought that might be a host problem and I tried the same operation using a windows 7 as a host, but the result remained the same. I tried to install both the 64bit and 32bit server version of ubuntu 10.04 and also CentOS 5.4, but no luck. Every time the computer freezes completely and I have to manually reboot, or sometimes it restart itself at the very beginning of the installation.

I don't know what might be the problem. My computer is a Dell laptop with AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core processor (i686). Do you have any ideas what might causing this ?

[Perryg]

If you got as far as booting to a screen of some kind then there should be a guest log file. Post that (as an attachment).

[misterjinx]

This are 3 logs, one when used ubuntu 10.10 as a host and the other one when used win 7 as a host for ubuntu/cent os guests. I hope it helps

[Perryg]

enable PAE in the guest settings and try again.

[misterjinx]

First of all thanks for your answer. Then, I enabled PAE and tried again in both windows and ubuntu hosts. In windows after i clicked on the install link the computer restarted itself . Using ubuntu as a host, I managed to get as far as to see the message `Starting system log daemon: syslog, klogd` and that was it. It stopped. I moved and clicked the mouse on that window and the computer was blocked. I had to manually reboot.

[Perryg]

I noticed that you are using a 32-bit Windows host.
D:\Kits\CentOS-5.4-x86_64-bin-DVD\CentOS-5.4-x86_64-bin-DVD.iso
Have you tried a 32-bit guest?

[misterjinx]

Yes, I tried both versions of 64 and 32 bit of ubuntu server and the result was the same. For Cent OS I have tried only that version.

l.e. just tried again using a 32 bit version of cent os and after i started the machine i got a blue screen (first time ever).

I don't know what else to do. Could be my laptop what's causing all this behavior ?

[Perryg]

It's very confusing jumping back and forth to Linux and Windows. Let's stick with the Linux host then we can move to the Windows one. I would try downloading the 32-bit version of Ubuntu server and see if it will install. Leave everything default except the pae which Ubuntu server must have enabled. Post the log file from this test as an attachment.

[loukingjr]

Not that I know much but why would one set an .iso as the primary master? I have installed 50+ guests over the past year or so and have always had the VDI set as the primary master.

[misterjinx]

It's very confusing jumping back and forth to Linux and Windows. Let's stick with the Linux host then we can move to the Windows one. I would try downloading the 32-bit version of Ubuntu server and see if it will install. Leave everything default except the pae which Ubuntu server must have enabled. Post the log file from this test as an attachment.

Sorry for that. I did as you said and after I selected the boot device (my iso image) and started the installation, the computer restarted itself. I attached the log below.

Not that I know much but why would one set an .iso as the primary master? I have installed 50+ guests over the past year or so and have always had the VDI set as the primary master.

I selected the image as a primary master so I can install directly from it. The vdi is set as SATA 0

[loukingjr]

Not that I know much but why would one set an .iso as the primary master? I have installed 50+ guests over the past year or so and have always had the VDI set as the primary master.

I selected the image as a primary master so I can install directly from it. The vdi is set as SATA 0

I guess that's the part I don't understand. As far as the IDE controller mine is always set to "secondary master" when I install guests. I'm not sure what the distinction is to install something "directly" means.

but good luck.

[Perryg]

Did you do as I suggested and start over and use all defaults except pae?
Set the CD/DVD to secondary master which is what VBox does by default.

[misterjinx]

Did you do as I suggested and start over and use all defaults except pae?
Set the CD/DVD to secondary master which is what VBox does by default.

Yes, that's what I did. And the CD/DVD indeed was set as secondary master.

[Perryg]

The only thing that I can think of at this point is the SATA not being compatible with your system. Change the location of the *.vdi file to the IDE master primary and see if it will install.

[misterjinx]

The only thing that I can think of at this point is the SATA not being compatible with your system. Change the location of the *.vdi file to the IDE master primary and see if it will install.

May I say you are a god ? That was it ! I added the vdi as IDE primary master and the installation started normally (now I'm already at the step where I have to choose the country, language etc. - so it's working fine).

Thank you very much

l.e. it got stucked (blocked) at the step where it asked me if I want to detect my keyboard automatically and I selected „yes”