[Solved] Black Boot Screen when starting copied VDI

[N8SXOMB]

Dear Forum

I made a backup of my vdi file some time ago. Meanwhile I changed host computer, OS and VirtualBox version.

Now I am running the following configuration:
Host: Windows 8.1 64, 8 GB
Guest: Ubuntu 12.04 with Guest Additions
Virtual Box: 4.3.6

I've created a new machine (with 1 GB RAM) and attached the backup vdi file. When I start the machine, I am getting a "GNU GRUB version 1.99-12ubuntu5" screen with these options:

• Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-24-generic
  Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-24-generic (recovery mode)
  Previous Linux versions
  Memory test (memtest 86+)
  Memory test [...]

Choosing option 1 or 2 leads me directly to a black screen.

Best regards

[mpack]

Moved to "Linux Guests".

In future you should backup the entire VM folder, not just the contents of the disk drive.

How did you copy the VDI file? A simple copy using the host OS, or did you clone it?

[N8SXOMB]

Unfortunately, I only got the vdi file.

I am not sure anymore but I reckon I made a simple copy.

[mpack]

Well, it's important to be sure, because cloning creates a disk with a different UUID, which can upset some grub scripts. Your error is consistent with that. You can edit the script to refer to the drive by device id (e.g. sda0 - but check your distro's forums) rather than UUID. If the VM is able to boot, even as far as that screen then you've got a Linux config problem, not a VirtualBox problem. If VirtualBox had a problem with the VDI then it would give an error and not even attempt to start the VM.

[N8SXOMB]

Not a VirtualBox problem. Solved it by reinstalling grub with a Live Cd.