AMD 64bit, Virtualbox and Windows (x86?)

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Linux hosts.
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jbeiter
Posts: 12
Joined: 14. Sep 2007, 17:09

AMD 64bit, Virtualbox and Windows (x86?)

Post by jbeiter »

I just set up a new machine with Ubuntu and AMD 64 bit with 4GB of memory. I installed virtualbox but when I went to install Windows XP it is getting i386 erros (I only have a licensed copy of XP home edition, i386)

Forgive me for what I sense is a really stupid question but do I need a 64bit version of XP for this to work? I guess I assumed that Virtualbox encapsulates the operating environment to a certain extent.
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Post by Sasquatch »

Depending on the processor, you can either run a 32-bit or 64-bit Host OS. If you run a 32-bit Host OS, like Windows XP Home, you need to install the 32-bit VirtualBox. Inside VirtualBox, you can only install 32-bit Guest systems.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
jbeiter
Posts: 12
Joined: 14. Sep 2007, 17:09

Post by jbeiter »

does that work the other way too then? If I run a 64bit host, I also have to run 64bit guests?

I wanted to run 64bit Linux so I can use 4GB of RAM. I've been able to run 32bit applications though, with some compatibility libraries.
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Post by Sasquatch »

No, if you're running a 64-bit Host system, you need to run the 64-bit version of VB, but you can't run a 64-bit Guest system. The VB version is the same as the Host system you're running, the Guest system will always be 32-bit. 64-bit Guests is in the roadmap, but it's not sure when it's done.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
jbeiter
Posts: 12
Joined: 14. Sep 2007, 17:09

Post by jbeiter »

Thank you!

- Joe
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