VirtualBox: How to create a

Linux Virtual Machine.

http://www.itworld.com/blog/readme-file/

Open VirtualBox. Click the new button on the top left toolbar button to create a new
virtual machine image.

http://www.itworld.com/blog/readme-file/

Create a new Virtual Machine (VM), with Linux as type and Other Linux as
version. I selected Other Linux (32 bit), because Im installing from a 32 bit DVD ISO
image.

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Assign as much memory as you realistically can to the VM. 1024 MB is sufficient.

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Create a virtual hard drive.

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Select VDI (Virtual Disk Image) as drive type.

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Select Fixed size as storage type. This prevents many issues and problems if installing
to a VM using a Linux ISO file.

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I chose 24 GB for the size of this drive, however Slackware will

install successfully on a 16 GB VM drive.

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VirtualBox then creates the storage unit.

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Right-click the new VM image and select Settings.

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Check Hardware clock settings. Some Linux/*nix installs prefer

the Hardware clock in UTC time option enabled.

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Many installations of Linux will fail unless the Enable PAE/NX option is clicked on.
This is found inside the Processor tab under System.

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Dont forget to add the Linux ISO file as a secondary master

drive.

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Network settings. Ensure Enable Network Adapter is checked if

you need networking or Internet capability working in the
Linux VM.

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USB controller settings.

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Click the Run button on the toolbar to begin

installation.

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VirtualBox dialog instructing the user to strike the right Ctrl key to toggle VM capture
of keyboard and mouse input.

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Press Enter key to begin installation...

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Login as root, then run cfdisk to create a new Linux partition.

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Create a New partition...

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Ensure the FS type is Linux, then toggle the

partition Bootable.

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In cfdisk, Write the partition and Exit when finished. Type setup at the prompt, then
Select source installation media.

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Install from a Slackware DVD.

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Scan for the DVD drive...

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...then select the Linux partition as target.

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Quick format is recommended for Linux VMs.

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I chose to format my partition as a ext4

filesystem.

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Formatting is complete and mount point

added to /etc/fstab.

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Begin the install, I chose to install the full

distro.

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Innumerable package names flash on the

screen during installation.

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Skip creation of a USB boot stick as they are

useless for VirtualBox Linux VMs.

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Install LILO automatically.

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Chose frame buffer console.

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Hit Enter when prompted for optional LILO

parameters.

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To be safe, select No UTF-8 console. This does not effect X or window

managers such as KDE.

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Install LILO to Master Boot Record. This enables your Linux VM

to boot after it is turned on.

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Mouse settings. You will most likely need to change this from
the default PS/2 Intellimouse to USB connected mouse.

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Select Yes to enable gpm (general purpose

mouse).

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Configure network.

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Enter hostname.

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Enter domain name.

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I chose DHCP for network configuration type.

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Hit Enter for DHCP hostname.

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Confirm setup.

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Chose startup services, I hit OK to run the default services.

These can always be changed later if needed.

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No custom screen fonts.

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Choose the appropriate hardware clock

setting.

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Chose your favorite window manager.

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Installation is finished, and you may now run

the Slackware Linux VM inside VirtualBox.

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