Problem with space allocation on the hard drive

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Windows hosts.
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sebax
Posts: 1
Joined: 5. Nov 2015, 14:32

Problem with space allocation on the hard drive

Post by sebax »

Hi !.

I detected that problem in new instalations on windows host and linux guest.

I select 600GB for HD (vdi) but installing asigned 670GB linux.

I select 450GB vmdk and assing and assigned internally 486GB...

I think if you really assign exceeded in virtualbox (450GB) and I get to use the partition 480GB linux I have an overflow.

Look attach image. :roll:
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mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39134
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Problem with space allocation on the hard drive

Post by mpack »

It simply isn't possible for VirtualBox to store more than the creation-specified amount in the VDI, so the error must lie elsewhere. Answers that spring to mind include user error, not understanding the difference between decimal and binary GB (*), general misuse of rounded numbers, and perhaps a guest filesystem with sparse file support and a lot of mostly-zero files.

<rant>
(*) For example, 450.41GB (binary) == 483.62*10^9 bytes. This is because 1GB = 1024^3, not 1000^3. Computers do not have 10 fingers and hence have no special affinity for base 10. However, some people insist on muddying the waters by inventing decimal variants of GB, MB etc, then using it where it really isn't wanted at all. For example, in the screenshot to the above right. Then these same ignoramuses have the gall to claim that the old terms are confusing because people abuse them, and the solution is new and more verbose terms such as GiB... which of course will be abused by a future generation of ignoramuses in exactly the same way. The actual solution is to use the original terms correctly and consistently throughout, (as VirtualBox does).
</rant>
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