virtualbox.org

[QUICK ANSWER: Yes, it can be installed as a VBox guest. Linux Mint 14 Nadia is a branch of 'Ubuntu'. Linux Mint LMDE is a branch of 'Debian'. Choose appropriately when creating the VM.]

This is a question for people:
1, who are actually running Mint as a VirtualBox guest, or
2, who know for sure how to do it. or
3, who know for sure that it can't (or shouldn't) be done.

-( I appreciate any help, but I need real experience because I've been experiencing weird problems in my various attempts at a Mint guest. I assumed it could be done, but now I'm not so sure.)-

Can Linux Mint 14 Nadia be installed as a VirtualBox guest?
If so, in the 'Create Virtual Machine' dialog, what do I choose in the 'Version' drop-down list box?
Choices are:
Linux 2.4
Linux 2.6
Arch Linux
Debian
openSUSE
Fedora
Gentoo
Mandriva
Red Hat
Turbolinux
Ubuntu
Xandros
Oracle
Other Linux

Thanks & Ciao! - Mark.

Mint 14 = Ubuntu 12.10 as base.

So choose Ubuntu.

stefan.becker wrote:Mint 14 = Ubuntu 12.10 as base.

So choose Ubuntu.

Thanks, Stefan. I tried that. Do you run a Linux Mint guest?

I don't feel comfortable with this next question, but I have to ask: Do you, in fact, know that Mint is Ubuntu. I've gotten so much conflicting information - the Mint web site and documentation isn't even consistent. I've had gurus tell me that Mint is Debian. The Mint user PDF says both Ubuntu and Debian.

I don't see what difference it would make to VBox, but apparently it does.

I'm sorry to have to ask: What support can you provide for your claim that Mint is Ubuntu?

There are two flavors of mint. Linux-mint (based off Ubuntu) and Linux-Mint-Debian-Edition (lmde) which is based off debian testing.

They are all actually based off Debian but the repos are not the same sine Ubuntu is Debian based with a lot of different patches to change the actual Debian base and makes them not compatible.

Now for your question of whether it works as a guest I can assure you it does. I have two running 24/7 on a special Debian, Ubuntu, mix with some of my own changes. I also have it working on a Mint host (unchanged).

Perhaps you can tell me what your issues are, and be specific including supporting logs.

Perry! Good to 'see' you again. I think I can count on you for accurate info.

Perryg wrote:There are two flavors of mint. Linux-mint (based off Ubuntu) and Linux-Mint-Debian-Edition (lmde) which is based off debian testing.

Oh my. I think perhaps the name "Linux" should be changed to "Babel". [sigh!] Now I understand the confusion. (The Mint web site of course says nothing about this and things are mixed up.) Okay, here: http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_nadia.php, it says: Linux Mint 14 is based on Ubuntu 12.10, so I guess that's what I should choose.

Perryg wrote:They are all actually based off Debian but the repos are not the same sine Ubuntu is Debian based with a lot of different patches to change the actual Debian base and makes them not compatible.

See, here's what happened. I created a VM choosing 'Debian' because that's what a guru told me. Then when I got a hint it should have been 'Ubuntu', I changed it in the VM configuration without making a new VM. Later, in the VM, I started getting strange things.

Perryg wrote:Perhaps you can tell me what your issues are, and be specific including supporting logs.

The desktop went black and the desktop icons disappeared. Choices in Settings stopped working. I lost faith. I don't know where the logs are located.

Perry, do you know of a Linux that doesn't need the command line and that has context-sensitive help? A Linux that's as carefree as Windows?

Actually as far as the guest you choose, all Debian based are the same and all rpm based are the same as far as VBox is concerned. The only reason for multiple choices is so you have a graphical indicator of the guest. So you can use Debian, or Ubuntu and VBox will not run it any differently. The only guest setting that would make a difference is the 64-bit.

Now we get to the meat. I need to see your log file. Right click on the Mint guest and left click on show log. click save and post here as an attachment.
Then I will ask for more from you but let's see what is going on first.

Linux is not Windows, and Windows is not Linux. They both have their good,bad, & ugly (think spaghetti western) parts, and yes learning curves. If you had started with Linux you would be asking these same questions about Windows.

Ubuntu is probably the easiest and Mint is taking over as far as the user preference because of the stupid decision to do the desktop as an ipad.

Perryg wrote:Actually as far as the guest you choose, all Debian based are the same and all rpm based are the same as far as VBox is concerned. The only reason for multiple choices is so you have a graphical indicator of the guest.

Oh, that's brilliant.

Perryg wrote:Now we get to the meat. I need to see your log file.

Errr... I destroyed the VM. I wiped it out. I'm going to redo it from scratch, again.

Perryg wrote:Linux is not Windows, and Windows is not Linux. They both have their good,bad, & ugly (think spaghetti western) parts, and yes learning curves. If you had started with Linux you would be asking these same questions about Windows.

Oh how Sergio of you. How, how Leone of you. I'm shocked. I started with 360 JCL, RSX-11, HP3000 SPL, and CP/M. When I saw context-sensitive help in Windows, I was taken. Linux would not have mattered. When will Linux have such help? When will Linux be so friendly?

Humm.

Well I'm done.

Here you get help if you have problems installing a guest.

Here is not a place to discuss several linux distros and their development.

And please: Its possible to search and read. Your questions can be answered by input some word in Google.

stefan.becker wrote:Here you get help if you have problems installing a guest.

That's what I'm doing, Stefan. I seek help from people who have Linux Mint 14 guests running. This is the VBox Linux Guest forum, is it not?

stefan.becker wrote:Here is not a place to discuss several linux distros and their development.

Why not? If one Linux distro can be installed in a VBox while another cannot, that's pertinent to this forum.

stefan.becker wrote:And please: Its possible to search and read. Your questions can be answered by input some word in Google.

No, it's not. I've done 2-days of research and could not find a definitive answer.

You are still not answering a very basic question : what ARE the actual problems you are having?

Linux Mint and LMDE install fine. I must of installed 20 of them by now since Linux Mint 9. Just my two cents.

I have also installed several Mint versions without issues.

Cinnamon is still flaky however. At least on Mac hosts.

And guest additions are installed and 3D is activated in the guest settings? If you have problems, you have to ask a question with infos, else there is nothing to say.

Say exact what's your problem, environment, versions and post a log file.