Tutonics

Ubuntu VirtualBox Install - Ubuntu 12.04

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If you would like to try Ubuntu without affecting your main machine or if you want to test something on Ubuntu in a safe environment you can create a virtual installation. To do this you can use VirtualBox, a general-purpose full virtualizer, extremely feature rich, high performance and is freely available as Open Source Software.

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1 min

  1. Download a copy of Ubuntu.

  2. Download a copy of VirtualBox. This link takes you to the downloads page where you can get hold of a copy for your OS whether you are running Windows, Mac OS X or a Linux Distro.

    If you are using Ubuntu just open a terminal (Crtl+Alt+t) and run the following command, then skip to step 4.

    sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install virtualbox

  3. Install VirtualBox on your machine. If you need help with this see the installation guide on the VirtualBox website.

  4. Open VirtualBox and you should see a screen similar to this:

    (Note: My main OS is Ubuntu, on a different OS it may look a little different - This goes for all screen shots in this article)

    VirtualBox Manager

  5. Next click on the 'New' button, a window will appear, click 'Next'. Then you will see a window like below. Enter in a name for your OS, select Linux for the Operating System and click next.

    Create New Virtual Machine

  6. Enter Virtual Machine Base Memory (RAM) - I usually use half of the Ram available, click 'Next'.

    Create New Virtual Machine_2

  7. Create Virtual Hard Disk - Just click 'Next' here and on the next 2 screens.

    Create New Virtual Machine_3

  8. Select the size of the Virtual Disk, click 'Next', and then click 'Create' on the following screen.

    Create New Virtual Disk_001

  9. You should now see this screen with your new entry in it. Click on the 'Settings' button to continue.

    7 - Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager

  10. Now Click Storage --> Empty --> CD Icon --> 'Choose a Virtual CD/DVD disk file...'

    8 - VirtualBox settings

  11. Locate the Ubuntu ISO you downloaded, select 'Open' then 'OK'. You will be returned to the main menu.

  12. Click the 'Start' button to begin the installation process of Ubuntu on your virtual machine.

    If a 'VirtualBox - Information' message appears just check 'Do not show this message again' then 'OK'.

    9 - Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager

  13. Click 'Install Ubuntu'.

    11 - Ubuntu OS [Running] - Oracle VM VirtualBox

  14. On the next screen I would recommend you select both options here (internet connection required). The first option will make sure you have all the latest updates while the second is needed to use Flash, MP3 files, DVDs among others. Click 'Continue'.

    12 - Ubuntu OS [Running] - Oracle VM VirtualBox

  15. Click 'Continue'.

    13 - Ubuntu OS [Running] - Oracle VM VirtualBox

  16. Click 'Install Now'.

    Ubuntu OS [Running] - Oracle VM VirtualBox_025

  17. Select a location and click 'Continue'.

    15 - Ubuntu OS [Running] - Oracle VM VirtualBox

  18. Choose your keyboard layout and click 'Continue'.

    16 - Ubuntu OS [Running] - Oracle VM VirtualBox

  19. Choose a username, a password you will remember and click 'Continue'.

    17 - Ubuntu OS [Running] - Oracle VM VirtualBox

  20. Wait for the install to complete and restart the virtual machine when you see the prompt.

    18 - Ubuntu OS [Running] - Oracle VM VirtualBox

  21. To start Ubuntu highlight the installation then click 'Start' in the main VirtualBox screen

    Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager_001

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