Last update: 13/11/2009
1. What is Virtual Box?
Virtual Box is a desktop virtualisation product for Windows, Mac (Intel), Linux and Unix operating systems. You can download Virtual Box from http://www.virtualbox.org
2. What guest operating systems are supported?
Virtual Box supports a wide range of operating systems including: Windows (3.1 to Vista), Linux, Solaris, BSD, OS/2 and Others.
3. Can I use VM disks from Virtual PC and VMWare?
Yes, you can import virtual hard disks created from Microsoft's Virtual PC and VMWare's Workstaion products and use .VHD and .VMDK files. Virtual Box also uses it own .VDI hard disk format. You can import full virtual machines which were exported in the open .OVF format.
4. How do I create a new Virtual Machine?
Use the New button to start the Create a New Virtual Machine Wizard. Step by step instructions are available on this New VM page.
5. How do I install the Virtual Box Additions tools?
Once the VM Guest is set up and the operating system is installed, login to your machine, click on the Devices menu and select Install Guest Additions. This will mount the additions iso onto your guest machine. It may auto start, if not, open the CD icon and click on the program to begin installation.
The additions iso file can be found in C:\Program files\Sun\Virtual Box\VBoxGuestAdditions.iso on Windows systems. It contains additions for 32 bit and 64 bit Windows and a package file for Linux/Unix systems.
6. What keys can I use with VirtualBox?
F12 - Boot menu for BIOS
Right ctrl - Host key (to be used in combo with other keys)
Host + Delete = Ctrl + Alt + Key combo
Host + F = Full screen
(See menus for other key combinations)
7. What hardware does Virtual Box use for Guests?
Graphics card = VirtualBox Graphics (a special one for VBox)
IDE ATA Controller = Intel(R) 82357 AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
Network Card = AMD PCNET Family PCI Ethernet Adapter
Sound Card = Intel(R) 82801AA AC'97 Audio Controller
USB2 Controller = Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB2 EHB Controller
USB Controller = Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
8. How do I share files between the Host and Guest systems?
You can mount CD or DVDs via the Devices menu. You can use Floppy Drives. You can also use Shared Folders with the Host system
.