can't run 98se VHD existing under W8 Virtual Box 424

[Astrogirl]

I am running virtual box 492 with a VHD of 98se originally created in VPC 2007 running an XP host. I am trying to run this with a W8 host machine now. The 98se VHD I added as an existing image selecting Windows 98 in menu options of virtual box. It boots fine to safe mode but I get just a black screen and no boot in normal mode.

In safe mode I have only 16-bit display.
VM additions won't install - saying not for this OS.
Not sure if sound works yet as can't get to normal mode.

Also once can boot - what sound and video drivers should I install or is there a link to another ver of VM additions or Virtual Box that should work?

I also tried coverting the VHD with vmware convertor standalone and it works ok it seems in vmware player but not in vbox. Prefer to try getting it to work in vbox for now as it seems to have more features and also VPC I can't get to work in W8 (RC ver).

Is it better I install w98se from scratch or should this vhd run - it works well in Virtual PC 2007.

[mpack]

See the "Howto" area for information on Win98 guests - go with the Bearwindows VESA driver, ignore the Scitech one.

However note that while you may get Win98 to run, it is not a supported guest OS, i.e. there are no guest additions for it. That said I find that it runs ok if VT-x is used, though I don't use it for anything serious (just quick tests).

[Astrogirl]

Sorry very late replying to this -had forgotten about at time as other issues to deal with, thanks for reply.

As there were no guest additions it means could not share folders with host which makes installing things a hassle and usb drives won't detect all easily or install drivers - hard to come by for Win98 with newer usb keys etc and using ISO's or Cd also can be hassle.

So decided to keep using my Virtual PC copy of 98se within XP - which not tested yet but works in VMware as is, so hopefully will do also in virtual box VDI which I have converted my XP system to now.

[mpack]

True, no GAs means you can't use GA simple shared folders, but a true network share is actually quite simple too. Google has the details.

Nested VMs are not supported in VirtualBox. That doesn't mean it won't work, it means that no claim and no attempt has been made to make it work.

[Astrogirl]

thanks mpack I will try instead to get VPC 2007 working in Virtual Box xp guest - at moment having trouble with mouse pointer integration at loading 98se - trying to reinstall guest additions VPC. Is it possible that Virtual PC 2004 or other version may work better under Virtual Box or would it be same issue as with VPC 2007?

Update: I have since gone back to a VMware player install of my 98se which is working fairly well so far just trying to get it to share over network with host folder and printer. Seems VPC won't run properly nested in virtualbox though it will in VMware player. Perhaps a future feature request?