Need help properly configuring VirtualBox and guest additions

[SteveRiley]

You can see where I stopped my attempt to follow you above. Next I entered your code instructions without the bracketed [code] and was successful, I believe. I removed the three lines and entered "y". Next I attempted to enter the repository, I believe and got this:

steven@Yeshuah:~$ deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian quantal contrib
No command 'deb' found, did you mean:
Command 'debc' from package 'devscripts' (main)
Command 'derb' from package 'libicu-dev' (main)
Command 'dab' from package 'bsdgames' (universe)
Command 'debi' from package 'devscripts' (main)
Command 'xdeb' from package 'xdeb' (universe)
Command 'dwb' from package 'dwb' (universe)
deb: command not found
steven@Yeshuah:~$ sudo deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian quantal contrib
sudo: deb: command not found
steven@Yeshuah:~$

I tried first by copying and pasting then tried same with sudo; neither succeeded, so I am waiting for additional instruction before I continue. Sorry to be so stupid. Please continue your patience, I am learning, but slowly.

You're skipping steps. Go back and look at the instructions again. The line that begins with sudo nano is typed in a Konsole. That starts the editor. While inside the editor, you will press Ctrl+K enough times to make all the lines go away. While still in the editor, you will paste the line that begins with deb. Only then, when you see that single line, will you press Ctrl+X to save the file and answer y when prompted. Now you will have exited the editor and returned to the command prompt.

I see you also tried a sudo deb attempt. Nowhere did I write that. Please make sure you follow exactly what I typed, don't add anything else, don't skip steps. You're doing fine.

[james147]

(Alternately, you could have deleted the file and created a new one. Instead, I had you edit the file, so that you could gain a bit of new experience.)

You're skipping steps. Go back and look at the instructions again. The line that begins with sudo nano is typed in a Konsole. That starts the editor. While inside the editor, you will press Ctrl+K enough times to make all the lines go away. While still in the editor, you will paste the line that begins with deb. Only then, when you see that single line, will you press Ctrl+X to save the file and answer y when prompted. Now you will have exited the editor and returned to the command prompt.

I see you also tried a sudo deb attempt. Nowhere did I write that. Please make sure you follow exactly what I typed, don't add anything else, don't skip steps. You're doing fine.

This is normally why I give people simple instructions that just work rather the fiddling with text editors though I understand why you did it

You can run this instead of editing that text file

echo "deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian quantal contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list

or edit it in kate (or your prefered text editor) with `kdesudo kate`

[SteveRiley]

This is normally why I give people simple instructions that just work rather the fiddling with text editors though I understand why you did it

True. Our OP here, however, has expressed, in PMs to the admins, a desire to learn a variety of approaches. Thus, my foray into nano.

I actually like the elegance of your suggestion as well. So I'll add it to my original post as an alternate mechanism, and indicate with color to follow either one or the other.

[james147]

I actually like the elegance of your suggestion as well. So I'll add it to my original post as an alternate mechanism, and indicate with color to follow either one or the other.

One more small alteration, I would actually say to only use one section, at the moment it is a bit ambiguous if you should do part A then part B or not.

[SteveRiley]

Good call.

[Shabakthanai]

I am a little premature on my reply, however this has been such a wonderful experience, I just had to say my thanks now. I have been laughing with joy while following your instructions. I hope you haven't lost some of the joy I experience, when you have a difficult problem of your own that finally has a resolution. It is simply thrilling. I will study this post until I completely understand it - understand it enough that I will be help someone with the selfsame problem. I have to believe I am not the only one who is at my level of understanding. Thanks for taking your valuable time to share this information in a way I could apply it. When I finally get my virtual machine working, I will have resolved a problem I first tried to solve in Feisty. As embarrassing as it is to say that online, it should give you an idea how to understand the importance of this post to me. Oh if I could sometime understand computing at this level. I really love it. I am indebted. Cordially, my friend.

[james147]

Oh if I could sometime understand computing at this level.

If you really want to understand how Linux works I highly recommend trying to install Arch Linux in a vm. They give you a minimal base to work with and let you install and configure it how you like. It is a great learning experience but can be frustrating when it doesn't quite work.

Their wiki is one of the best around for explaining things. I would recommend reading their beginners guide at the very least as it explains allot about how Linux work in quite a bit of detail.

[SteveRiley]

I am a little premature on my reply, however this has been such a wonderful experience, I just had to say my thanks now. I have been laughing with joy while following your instructions. I hope you haven't lost some of the joy I experience, when you have a difficult problem of your own that finally has a resolution. It is simply thrilling. I will study this post until I completely understand it - understand it enough that I will be help someone with the selfsame problem. I have to believe I am not the only one who is at my level of understanding. Thanks for taking your valuable time to share this information in a way I could apply it. When I finally get my virtual machine working, I will have resolved a problem I first tried to solve in Feisty. As embarrassing as it is to say that online, it should give you an idea how to understand the importance of this post to me. Oh if I could sometime understand computing at this level. I really love it. I am indebted. Cordially, my friend.

We're happy that you find our community both educational and entertaining. We strive to maintain a fine balance between the two.

[Shabakthanai]

I will take your adivce, and thanks. Additionally, I don't think I missed anything including the editing step. I may not have included it in my reply, but I did open the editor and remove the three offending lines. In fact I have Kubuntu 13.04 running in the VB now. I have an additional problem though, I don't yet have an Internet connection in the VB. Additionally, the screen size when expanded is only about 12 inches by 7 inches. As soon as I get connected to the internet and finish the updates etc. I will install and try ArchLinux. Also, I will solve my Netflix problem and finally get rid of Windows altogether. Thanks.

If you really want to understand how Linux works I highly recommend trying to install Arch Linux in a vm. They give you a minimal base to work with and let you install and configure it how you like. It is a great learning experience but can be frustrating when it doesn't quite work.

Their wiki is one of the best around for explaining things. I would recommend reading their beginners guide at the very least as it explains allot about how Linux work in quite a bit of detail.

[SteveRiley]

So you actually worked through all the steps then? Good job!

To enable the ability to change screen sizes, you need to download the VirtualBox extensions add-on, add it to the VirtualBox Manager, and then install the extensions in your guest virtual machine.

For network connectivity, you should configure the virtual machine's settings to use NAT.

[Shabakthanai]

So you actually worked through all the steps then? Good job!

To enable the ability to change screen sizes, you need to download the VirtualBox extensions add-on, add it to the VirtualBox Manager, and then install the extensions in your guest virtual machine.

For network connectivity, you should configure the virtual machine's settings to use NAT.

The extensions come in a compressed package that require Ark to open. Extensions have two Linux packages but do not say which is which + several other Operating system compatible packages. I clicked to open the package, but I do not know how to deal with the unpacked packages. This is another thing that has stumped me for years. Also, how and where do I install and store the package? I must seem a hopeless case, but this is another thing I have wanted to know that I was unable to research an answer I could follow and understand. Before I got this message, I got connected to the Internet. I did not use NAT; I got it to work just changing from eth1 to eth0. Instead of NAT, I used Bridge Adapter. It is working. Should I change to NAT or keep what is currently working? Thanks!

[james147]

The extensions come in a compressed package that require Ark to open.

Do you mean it came in a .deb file? Yes ark can open them, but you really want to install it with `dpkg -i package.deb`

Also, doesn't kubuntu have the guest addons in the repos, it is best to install them from there if they in it.

[SteveRiley]

The extensions come in a compressed package that require Ark to open. Extensions have two Linux packages but do not say which is which + several other Operating system compatible packages. I clicked to open the package, but I do not know how to deal with the unpacked packages. This is another thing that has stumped me for years. Also, how and where do I install and store the package?

Where are you obtaining the extensions from? The proper download for VirtualBox extensions is here:

http://download.virtualbox.org/virtu...0.vbox-extpack

Once VirtualBox is installed correctly, you should be able to simply run that downloaded file by clicking it in Dolphin. The VirtualBox Network Operations Manager will add the extensions to your VirtualBox Manager.

More generally, I'm wondering if you might be following old guides someplace. I'd recommend that you rely instead on the published documentation. It's accurate and always up to date.

https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/UserManual.html

I must seem a hopeless case, but this is another thing I have wanted to know that I was unable to research an answer I could follow and understand. Before I got this message, I got connected to the Internet. I did not use NAT; I got it to work just changing from eth1 to eth0. Instead of NAT, I used Bridge Adapter. It is working. Should I change to NAT or keep what is currently working? Thanks!

Oh, well, yeah, you do need to select the correct network interface on the host so that the guests can communicate ... And bridged is fine, stay with that.

[SteveRiley]

Also, doesn't kubuntu have the guest addons in the repos, it is best to install them from there if they in it.

The version in the repository is outdated and won't match the version of VirtualBox that Shabakthanai installed from Oracle. Plus, if I recall correctly, the repository version is missing support for USB 2.0 and RDP.

[Shabakthanai]

I have done a lot since my last post. First, I think I have to start taking advice from only one source.
I was advised to remove VB and install from the repos. I did that, however, the download was 4.1.18, which did not have the appropriate support applications. So, I unstalled 4.1.18, did the removal process you suggested, Steve, and re-installed 4.2.6. I then included the appropriate guest additions and extension pack. I still have only an approximate 10:12 inch screen that does not expand to full screen. I have been trying to find how to add vboxusers to my computer - can't figure how to do it. I am getting very close now, but full-screen and USB support still evade me. If you are still willing to help. What should I do now? Thanks!

The version in the repository is outdated and won't match the version of VirtualBox that Shabakthanai installed from Oracle. Plus, if I recall correctly, the repository version is missing support for USB 2.0 and RDP.