virtualbox.org

Hello,

I've been a VirtualBox user for quite some time and have been running Windows XP on my Mac OSX 10.9.5 without any issues. However, I created a new Virtual Machine last night in order to run Windows 7 as I recently purchased the installation disc and after successfully installing and registering Windows 7 last night, I've had nothing but issues today after restarting and shutting down the new Virtual Machine.

When I first opened Virtual Box today, there was a red icon indicating that the Windows 7 machine had been 'Aborted' whereas my Windows XP machine states 'Powered Off' when it is not in use. I did not realize that I still had the installation disc in my computer for Windows 7 when powering up the Windows 7 machine and I' m not too sure if this is what has caused all of the havoc but I continue to reach a windows with the following message (I've also tried reinstalling Windows but still arrive at the window stating the following):

'Windows cannot repair your computer automatically'

'If you have recently attached a device to this computer, such as a camera or portable music player, remove it and restart your computer. If you continue to see this message, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.'

'Click Finish to exit and shut down your computer.'

Is there any way that I can just start from scratch and delete the Virtual Machine I created and reinstall Windows 7 from the beginning? I'm not sure if this would cause an issue as I did register the Windows 7 with the key provided on the installation disc.

Any and all help is appreciated.


Thank you

Also, if I start the Windows 7 machine without the installation disc in my computer, I reach a window stating that 'Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically' and asks if I would like to send more information to Microsoft.

I surmise that the message 'Windows cannot repair your computer automatically' means it attempted to do so and failed, likely messing things up. I don't recall that Windows 7 attempts to repair a computer automatically, just because the installation CD is in the drive when it boots up. In fact, there's a 'Press any key to boot from CD' message which keeps the install CD from booting and goes directly into the installed OS, unless someone presses a key. Then one has to choose to repair - I don't think it's an automatic process. You have a coffee mug or stray cat pushing your keys?

You should be able to re-install Windows 7 on the same guest and virtual disk drive without having to make anything new or put your activation chances at risk. Just boot from the CD, carefully look for the fresh install button and tell it to wipe out whatever is on the disk and start again. Don't ask the installer to repair anything.

FWIW, even if you can't re-activate online and you have to call in, just tell Microsoft you're new with virtual machines and trying to get an install right, I'm confident they'll understand.

scottgus1 wrote:I surmise that the message 'Windows cannot repair your computer automatically' means it attempted to do so and failed, likely messing things up. I don't recall that Windows 7 attempts to repair a computer automatically, just because the installation CD is in the drive when it boots up. In fact, there's a 'Press any key to boot from CD' message which keeps the install CD from booting and goes directly into the installed OS, unless someone presses a key. Then one has to choose to repair - I don't think it's an automatic process. You have a coffee mug or stray cat pushing your keys?

You should be able to re-install Windows 7 on the same guest and virtual disk drive without having to make anything new or put your activation chances at risk. Just boot from the CD, carefully look for the fresh install button and tell it to wipe out whatever is on the disk and start again. Don't ask the installer to repair anything.

FWIW, even if you can't re-activate online and you have to call in, just tell Microsoft you're new with virtual machines and trying to get an install right, I'm confident they'll understand.

This is driving me nuts haha. No matter what I do and whether the Windows 7 disc is in the drive or not, the VirtualBox device automatically defaults to a Startup Repair screen and informs me that Windows cannot repair the computer. I'm definitely not pressing any keys when VirtualBox starts up and do not get the opportunity any where on the screen to select Install as I just reach the VirtualBox screen with the option of pressing F12 to 'select boot device' before going to an all black screen with a grey loading bar stating that 'Windows Is Loading Files'.

OK, start with a new drive (not a new guest). In the guest settings, disconnect the virtual disk from the guest and make a new virtual disk. (Don't delete the old disk, just set it aside and start the new one.) Try the install again.

scottgus1 wrote:OK, start with a new drive (not a new guest). In the guest settings, disconnect the virtual disk from the guest and make a new virtual disk. (Don't delete the old disk, just set it aside and start the new one.) Try the install again.

Sorry for the noob question but how do I ensure that I'm not starting with a new guest and access the guest settings? The traditional way I've always created a new drive was just clicking the blue 'New' button when I open the Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager.

Also, I had set 200 GB aside for the creation of the old virtual disk, will I be able to reclaim that space?

Regarding the old 200GB drive, if you made it a dynamic drive, then it is likely not 200GB. And you can release the used space by opening the Virtual Media Manager, selecting old the drive file and releasing/removing/deleting it in the toolbar. (Don't do this just now, if you have enough disk space. The Media manager will tell you how much of the 200GB has been filled up already.)

To make a new disk, look at section 3.6 in the User manual, then ask any questions you have.

I think you should go in =settings-system and bring the cd/dvd to the top, then if you restart the computer, you will be able to reinstall it

C.G. wrote:Hello,
Is there any way that I can just start from scratch and delete the Virtual Machine I created and reinstall Windows 7 from the beginning? I'm not sure if this would cause an issue as I did register the Windows 7 with the key provided on the installation disc.

Thank you

You can create a new guest from scratch of course. As far as any Activation issues, if there are any, you can always call Microsoft and explain you had a bad VM install and need to reactivate it. They are usually pretty good about it if you don't abuse the privilege.

Thanks guys, it's working now! I was finally able to do a clean re-install and that took care of everything. One (and hopefully last) problem I'm having though is with my Share Folders. For whatever reason my external hard drive and a folder that I utilize on my iMac (and also share on my Windows XP guest) are not appearing on my Windows 7 guest, even after making sure they are set up in the VM Manager. Any suggestions?

Not sure what happened but there was a reply indicating I should install the latest version of VirtualBox. I've been trying to do so but keep getting an 'Installation Failed' error message when attempting this. Any suggestions?

After having attempted to install this latest version and reaching the error message my VM Manager will not open as 'it may be damaged or incomplete'. I'm running OSX 10.9.5 and attempting to install VirtualBox 4.3.26.

That was my reply. I deleted it because you said the shared folders worked for your XP guest. As to your problem, first, use the VirtualBox_Uninstall.tool to delete your current version. It won't touch your existing VMs. Then run Disk Utility>Repair Permissions. Then try installing 4.3.26 again. Don't forget to install the matching extension pack and update the guest additions in your guests.

All fixed! I owe scottgus1 and loukingjr a round of drinks, thanks guys!

Looks like I spoke too soon...

So I've added an installation disc as a shared folder which I've done before on my Windows XP guest with no issues but this specific disc is giving me grief and claims that 'The Specified Path Does Not Exist'. This only occurs when attempting to utilize the installer on my Windows 7 guest, not when opening any of the Read Me documentation included on the installation disk and there are no disk errors when opening the installation side on my Mac OSX host.

I will be installing quite a bit of software (it's actually the Native Instruments Komplete series which is about 16 DVDs/CDs of installation fun) so definitely want to make sure I can get these installation disks working.

I can also confirm that I am using the correct Windows OS (Windows 7 64-bit) to install this software so I'm not sure what the real issue is.

Why would you make an installation disk a shared folder? If you have installation CDs you need to install in your guest you just attach them to the CD/DVD controller of your guest one at a time and run them.