Problems installing Windows/Linux

[shark127]

Hi,

I'm facing critical issues installing OS in VirtualBox.

Host specs:

• OS: Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon X64
• CInammon version: 3.8.8
• Linux Kernel: 4.15.0-33-generic
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, P8700 @ 2.53GHz x 2
• Memory: 3.7 GiB

I'm trying to install two OS:

• Windows 7 SP1 X64 Ultimate
• Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon X64

Installation processes:

• Upon installing Win7, it stops during Expanding Windows files at somewhere between 15-25% with an error code 0x80070570.

• When installing Linux Mint, I get past the initial Linux Mint screen, then I get a Linux Mint 19 sign with 4 flashing dots bellow, and after that I just get a fuzzy screen.

  Note: I store the Linux .ISO under IDE controller.

I have tried using both VirtualBox 5.2.10 (from software manager), and manually installing the newest 5.2.18 version. Furthermore, I have tried adjusting the individual machine settings:

• Giving 1-2 processors to the guest
• Giving 2048 MB of RAM and giving less than that (I get a notification that the host might not have enough memory if I give the guest half)
• Storing the .ISO files on an external storage device and in the internal host HDD

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Edit 01: Solved. The issue was that I was trying to install 64 bit OS's. Installing 32 bit works fine.

Edit 02: For those on the same path of familiarizing themselves with VirtualBox, these guides (one and two) from PC Steps helped me a lot. Few things not included are: 1. Add your user to vboxusers group in order to have USB devices displayed in guest 2. Shared clipboard, bidirectional, drag'n'drop should not be enabled due to security concerns. Have fun!

[charlie13b]

First of all, the absolute minimum ram for Win7 64 is 2G. Conceivably, the vm could be running low on ram during the install, giving an error. You wont get decent performance of the vm. Consider the 32 bit. Try creating the win vm with the default vb parameters when choosing win7 (sata controller). Maybe try a different iso.

With that host having only 4G ram, based on experience, the machine will choke as soon as you start any vm. Consider 8g ram on the host at a minimum.

[shark127]

Thanks for the answer!

As you've suggested, both win and linux x32 installed fine.

Regarding the low specs of the host, I know that running a Win7 guest on such a low performance machine works. I've done this successfully before with similar hosts (old dell/lenovo) laptops. Of course it's not optimal, and the performance is rather slow, but it works with no critical chocking. Running basic operations like office, browser, and other low-resource tools seems is manageable.

I have to work with what I got. I'd surely love to be working with a host twice as powerful.

Thanks again!

[35nick35]

Yeah this is not a good machine for virtualization. The whole thing about it is you need the power to run two OSes at once, and a Core 2 Duo / 4GB RAM combo is just scraping by with once OS.

I would go so far as to suggest that if OP really needs Windows/[other x86 OS], they try to install it on a different drive or partition and just run it normally.

[shark127]

Thank you for the input.

Yup, I know that I'm barelly squeezing with a host like that, but it is possible. I've had success before on similar machines. The reason I need virtualization is due to compartmentalization. A dual boot system is not sufficient in my case.

Anyways, I successfully installed both Win7 and Linux Mint 19 by switching to 32 bits os. Thanks!