linux-virtual and VBoxGuestAdditions

[Urhixidur]

There seems to be a serious problem between linux-virtual and the VBoxGuestAdditions.iso, at least for Linux 3.2.0.35 and VBox 4.2.0 through 4.2.6. On two different hosts, one Windows 7 (VBox 4.2.0), the other Linux Ubuntu 12.04 (VBox 4.2.6), an Ubuntu 12.04 guest running a linux-virtual kernel is unable to mount the VBoxGuestAdditions.iso. Switching the guest to a linux-generic kernel was enough to make VBoxGuestAdditions.iso mountable.

[mpack]

Unless you can explain how the ISO is non-compliant, nobody is likely to take this (unique) report seriously.

[Urhixidur]

Unless you can explain how the ISO is non-compliant, nobody is likely to take this (unique) report seriously.

Yes, it is indeed bizarre. I've found that this is actually a file-system problem: it occurs only with linux-virtual, and it is fixed by the addition of the linux-image-extra-virtual package. It seems the linux-virtual kernel omits the cd-rom file system.

The good news is that this is not a VirtualBox problem.

[Perryg]

My understanding of the linux-virtual-kernel is that it is a stripped down (server) kernel and designed that way. Adding the extras will bring it back to a usable state but then you need to wonder why you would use this kernel unless you are hosting virtual guests and don't need other packaging.

[mpack]

The good news is that this is not a VirtualBox problem.

Oh, don't worry, there was never any doubt about that! VBoxGuestAdditions.iso is used by almost everyone who uses VirtualBox. The possibility is almost zero of some fundamental problem with that file going unnoticed. The problem had to be at your end.