virtualbox.org

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

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?

Unfortunately, I only got the vdi file.

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

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.

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