Newbie requesting help getting started...

[Veggieleezy]

Sorry to beat on a probably dead horse here, but I've recently downloaded Virtualbox as the result of trying and failing to use other similar products.

I'm running a Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit laptop and the games I'm trying to run are all Windows 95 (and thus, not 64-bit). I have the original discs, not copies or .isos, so hopefully that won't throw anything off. I downloaded and installed the program with no problem, but where I'm getting stuck is when it asks for the Virtual Hard Disk. I'm not sure what option to use, as I don't even have the software or proper .iso for the operating system I need.

I read on another post that Windows 95 doesn't work terribly well on this program, so 98 or even XP should work just as well. My problem is that I don't know where to find an .iso, or if that's even what I need. In summation, which choice do I pick for the Virtual Hard Disk? Should I try to find a 98/XP .iso? What should I do from there?

[Perryg]

VirtualBox is an application that allows you to install various operating systems, but you provide the operating system install media.

[Duhhh]

You're getting close. When it comes to the Virtual Hard Disk, this is where you select the size of the HD you want for your virtual machine. Select "create new hard disk," then the type will be VDI, select Dynamically allocated, and then pick a size you think will fit the OS and the apps you plan to install.

You *will* need an OS installation CD or an .iso of the same (you might get lucky at a nerd's yard sale and pick up a Win95 or Win98 install CD). You might even be so unlucky as to get the OS on floppies. Chances are, a Windows XP .iso will also work for the games you're trying to use.

In your VM's STORAGE settings, add an attachment to the IDE controller for a CD drive, and point it at the OS installation .ISO (or your real CD drive if you haven't made an .ISO yet). Now go to the VM's SYSTEM settings and set the boot order so the CD boots first. Start the VM, and you should see the OS install begin. Once it is finished, you can do the same to install the games (you can switch where the CD gets its data from on the fly).

[mpack]

then pick a size you think will fit the OS and the apps you plan to install.

... and then double the number you first think of. An important step that most newbies miss! (usually they wait until just after they've destroyed the un-backed-up VM while trying to enlarge the hdd before considering that, just maybe, the disk should have been bigger to begin with!).