Installing a new Program

[ukdodger]

I'm new to virtual machines. I've installed Oracle Ok on top of Windows 7 and created a machine Windows XP. The machine runs Ok and boots up but how do I install programs other than through a floppy? All I have is an executable in a W7 folder. But where do I put it in Oracle. It wont allow copying it. So is through a floppy the only way? I'm a novice so any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[mpack]

FYI: The software is called VirtualBox; Oracle is the code name for an evil mega corporation intent on world domination

Did you actually install XP from a setup CD, or did you just create a VM using the XP-compatible template?

VirtualBox is a PC hardware simulator - it simulates a blank PC whose hardware is designed to your recipe. Like any blank PC you have to install an OS to make it very useful. OS's are typically (since the late 90's) installed from a setup CD or DVD (*), none of which are bundled with VirtualBox.

(*) You don't however need a physical CD/DVD, since VirtualBox can use a CD/DVD image file (a.k.a. a .ISO file) as a virtual CD/DVD.

[ukdodger]

FYI: The software is called VirtualBox; Oracle is the code name for an evil mega corporation intent on world domination

Did you actually install XP from a setup CD, or did you just create a VM using the XP-compatible template?

VirtualBox is a PC hardware simulator - it simulates a blank PC whose hardware is designed to your recipe. Like any blank PC you have to install an OS to make it very useful. OS's are typically (since the late 90's) installed from a setup CD or DVD (*), none of which are bundled with VirtualBox.

(*) You don't however need a physical CD/DVD, since VirtualBox can use a CD/DVD image file (a.k.a. a .ISO file) as a virtual CD/DVD.

Thanks. I installed XP from a setup CD and it boots up in Virtualbox OK. I installed one program from a floppy (AutoCad 2004, which incidently doesnt run. But that's a problem with AutoCad 2004 I discovered). But how do I install one from an executable?

[FrodoHobbits]

Programs can be installed from their original CD or DVD. Read section 5.9 of the user manual. You can also create ISO files using other third party software and then mount these from within when you Vbox image is running.

[mpack]

You can also create an ISO image of the physical CD/DVD, which is what I prefer to do.

But how do I install one from an executable?

Too vague. What executable are you referring to? If you have a valid Autocad installer as a set of files including an install program then you copy that folder into the guest (via a shared folder) then run the install program. If all you did was capture the "Program Files" folder for Autocad then you probably can't install it: the installer is needed to set up registry links, associations, device drivers, external folders etc etc.

In any case, this actually isn't a VirtualBox issue. VirtualBox provides the virtual PC, but we don't provide support for every bit of software you might want to install on a PC, especially those where you are missing the installer. I you go to an Autodesk forum to ask specialist questions like that.

[ukdodger]

You can also create an ISO image of the physical CD/DVD, which is what I prefer to do.

But how do I install one from an executable?

Too vague. What executable are you referring to? If you have a valid Autocad installer as a set of files including an install program then you copy that folder into the guest (via a shared folder) then run the install program. If all you did was capture the "Program Files" folder for Autocad then you probably can't install it: the installer is needed to set up registry links, associations, device drivers, external folders etc etc.

In any case, this actually isn't a VirtualBox issue. VirtualBox provides the virtual PC, but we don't provide support for every bit of software you might want to install on PC, especially those where you are missing the installer. I you go to an Autodesk forum to ask specialist questions like that.

One that installs a program. ie - *.exe. As I said above I used the Autocad installer and yes I know that's an AC issue but that's not the issue I came here with. It's just an example. But dont worry I'll ask elsewhere for an answer.