Your Own Virtual Playground CS 1585 :: Doug McGeehan
Overview Follow these steps on your personal laptop or home PC. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Open this URL in your browser: http://tiny.cc/dsl-vm Download and Install VirtualBox Download Xubuntu ISO file Create a Xubuntu Virtual Machine (steps to follow) Learn about snapshots and restores (steps to follow)
Preliminaries 1. Download the VirtualBox installer 2. Also download the Xubuntu.ISO file Let me know when the VirtualBox installer has completed its download. Then we ll move on.
Installing VirtualBox > Default settings are fine > But we ll walk through it anyway > Slides are assuming you re on Windows > Sorry, I don t own a Mac
Installing VirtualBox > Features to install USB support Internet connection through your host Etc. > Okay to accept defaults > Click Next
Installing VirtualBox > Defaults are fine > I don t like Desktop or Quick Launch shortcuts > Start Menu and File Associations are needed
Installing VirtualBox > Read what it says > Proceeding will interrupt your downloads > If ISO is done downloading, you can proceed
Installing VirtualBox > A pop-up window will appear asking for permission to write to the hard drive > Accept the request
Installing VirtualBox > We trust Oracle > Click Install > You can optionally de-select Always trust
Installation is complete!
Create a Xubuntu VM > To create a new, blank VM, click the New button
Create a Xubuntu VM > Give the VM a good name > Type should be Linux > Version: Ubuntu (64-bit) > Note: if you only see 32-bit versions listed, move on to the next slide
Create a Xubuntu VM Note: on some computers (e.g. HP and Lenovo laptops and some Microsoft Surfaces), you might only see 32-bit options in the Version drop-down menu
Create a Xubuntu VM You ll need to boot into BIOS and enable virtualization > > > > Google how to enter BIOS for your particular laptop Navigate through the pages until you find some option for Virtualzation that is disabled Enable it, save your changes to BIOS, and reboot Restart the VM setup process
Create a Xubuntu VM > 1024 MB (1 GB) of RAM is sufficient for our needs
Create a Xubuntu VM > We ll give our VM a virtual hard disk > This will simply be a file stored on your physical hard disk
Create a Xubuntu VM > The virtual hard disk type should be VDI
Create a Xubuntu VM > Read the text > Fixed size hard disk files are safer > Why not to use dynamic: You give the VM 10 GB Your laptop has 11 GB free You download a 2 GB file Laptop now has 9 GB free Your VM will crash eventually
Create a Xubuntu VM > A 10 GB virtual hard drive is sufficient for this VM > If you have plenty of space, you may consider giving it more
All done with the new VM! Now we need to install an Operating System.
Power on the new VM
Create a Xubuntu VM > Read the text > You ll be asked for a start-up disk > Equivalent to inserting an OS installation CD/DVD into your computer s CD/DVD drive and booting up
Create a Xubuntu VM > Click the folder icon > Find the ISO that you downloaded > Select that ISO
Has the Xubuntu.iso file finished it s download?
Create a Xubuntu VM > Once the ISO is selected, click Start
Create a Xubuntu VM > It s good to read things that pop up > Click on one of the boxes to expand it > If your mouse is locked in the VM window, press the Right Ctrl key
Create a Xubuntu VM > You should arrive to this screen > The VM is booted into the ISO file
Create a Xubuntu VM > Leave these blank > You can update the software later
Create a Xubuntu VM > Choose Erase disk (default) > This will erase the virtual hard drive, not your physical hard drive
Create a Xubuntu VM > Read the text > Asks if you really want to wipe your hard drive > Just a safety precaution in case you are installing it to your physical drive (we re not)
Create a Xubuntu VM > Select your timezone > Influences the clock on your VM
Create a Xubuntu VM > What keyboard layout are you using? > Defaults are fine, unless you re using an international laptop
Create a Xubuntu VM > Account information and login credentials > Simple passwords are okay, but maybe choose a good one
Installation will take some time. Those with SSDs will be faster.
If you reach this page, then installation of an OS on your VM was successful! Select Restart Now After this, once it asks you to press Enter, press Enter
Benefits of a Virtual Machine > Play around without fear of crippling your computer > Test the waters of a new OS > Run software created solely for one OS
Snapshots and Restores > If you do something bad, just revert to a previous snapshot Installed a virus Deleted your favorite file Did something else to cause VM failure
Snapshots and Restores
Snapshots and Restores > Take a snapshot > It ll preserve the current state of the VM > You can revert back to that state later
Snapshots and Restores
Snapshots and Restores > Restore to a previous state > Highlight the state you wish to restore
Tasks to complete at home (optional) > Update the software on your Xubuntu VM (hint: search xubuntu how to install updates )
Tasks to complete at home (optional) > Update the software on your Xubuntu VM (hint: search xubuntu how to install updates ) > Install new software (e.g. Google Chrome, VLC) > Use Google, read through forum posts and tutorials > Start exploring your Linux VM!