virtualbox.org

Host: Win8 64-bit
Guest: Linux Ubuntu 12.04
VM VirtualBox Version 4.2.12 r84980

To determine installed version of GuestAdditions I issue modinfo command at Ubuntu terminal:

$ modinfo vboxguest
filename: /lib/modules/3.2.0-44-generic/updates/dkms/vboxguest.ko
version: 4.1.12_Ubuntu
license: GPL
description: Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest Additions for Linux Module
author: Oracle Corporation
srcversion: 3E06370A5C6DF3D7DA69A4A
alias: pci:v000080EEd0000CAFEsv00000000sd00000000bc*sc*i*
depends:
vermagic: 3.2.0-44-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 686

So modinfo reports GuestAdditions version 4.1.12, while my VirtualBox is 4.2.12.
(1) Should I risk uninstalling GA 4.1.12 and then install 4.2.12 in order get correct updates in the future?
(2) Is this GA version being reported correctly or is there a bug here?

Perhaps some host VirtualBox 4.2.12 / guest Ubuntu 12.04 users with updated GAs could post what modinfo reports for their systems.

Thanks.

The problem here is you are using the Ubuntu repo virtualbox guest additions.
You should purge virtualbox from the guest and install the ones that come with your version of VirtualBox.
To install click the devices tab at the top of the guest window and then click on install guest additions.

If you click on the install and nothing happens then auto run is disabled and you will need to use the Windows file manager and go to the cd and start them manually.

I assume you mean that I should first purge VirtualBox Guest Additions 4.1.12 from the guest.

(1) What is the safest/cleanest way to do that?

(2) Do I need to do something to prevent Ubuntu repository GAs from installing future updates?

Thanks.

From a guest terminal type the following: This should bring up a list of files related to the presently install guest additions.
Select yes and then they will be eliminated.
DO NOT reboot yet.

Next run the following in the terminal to be sure that they are all installed then select to install the guest additions as I suggested earlier.
Reboot when this finishes.

I followed Perryg's suggestions multiple times starting from working snapshot, but mounting the iso image manually. All steps executed with no apparent errors at the terminal.

In every case, "sudo reboot" leaves me sitting at a black screen, no desktop.

Do you happen to have an nVidia graphics adapter on your host?

If so try the 4.2.10GAs and see if they work. There may be a regression that was not seen until after the release.
http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualb ... 4.2.10.iso

Exactly, I have a NVIDIA Quadro 2000 display adapter in the host.

Installing the 4.2.10GAs instead of 4.2.12GAs per above instructions worked perfectly the first time :

$ modinfo vboxguest
filename: /lib/modules/3.2.0-44-generic/updates/dkms/vboxguest.ko
version: 4.2.10
license: GPL
description: Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest Additions for Linux Module
author: Oracle Corporation
srcversion: 6F6FB1FD0DC2C6DD4A346D3
alias: pci:v000080EEd0000CAFEsv00000000sd00000000bc*sc*i*
depends:
vermagic: 3.2.0-44-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 686

Now, do I have to take any precautions to assure that updates do not overwrite 4.2.10GA with 4.2.12GA?
Thanks for your help!

No you shouldn't have to do anything. The next release will have the regression fix in it and when you update the host version you can at that time decide whether to upgrade the guest additions or not. The latest and greatest guest additions are not a must have unless the guest requires them to operate properly. Linux guests tend to change a lot during their cycle however so just keep an eye on it and check back here as well.

Does anyone know if this nVidia graphics regression bug has in fact been fixed in the new VirtualBox 4.2.14 release? I do not see explicit reference to nvidia or graphics in the Changelog.

Since I don't actually have this regression you would need to install the GAs to verify if in fact it works for you. If not then revert to the 4.2.10 GAs and file a ticket at bugtracker with an attached guest log file.
Remember that the GAs can be older than the running version of VBox in most cases but never newer.