VirtualBox newbie

[jason7619]

Howdy,

I'm just trying VirtualBox 3.2.8 now. From a little over a year I have seen in the forums that it is a useful tool to tryout software and stuff. My idea is limited to that point and I really do not know how it works. I am using it on an old pc (AMD Athlon XP 2000/ 2.5gb ram / 80gb hdd) because I do not want something bad would happen to my existing pc. I have work there and if things go to shit on the new system..that's trouble.

Well, I have successfully instlled the OS on the VirtualBox. Main purpose at the moment is for software trial.

Preliminary set-up is:
512mb memory
16mb video memory
3D acceleration enabled
2D acceleration disabled
Remote display disabled
Storage: 25gb
Audio: Windows DirectSound
Controller: ICHAC97
Network: Adapter1 - PCnet-FASTIII(NAT)
SerialPort: disabled
USB: Device Fileters 0(0active)
Shared Folders: None

I do not know if this right but it is my understanding that if I am going to try a software inside a virtualbox, the situation should be at least the same or at par? Or that maybe not be the case...definitely the performance will be a bit slower but it's okay. I really want to learn it.

Some very beginner questions if I may:

a) How can I install software in the VBOX? or how can I effectively test a software in the virtual environment?..I can be able to install/uninstall programs inside the virtualbox..right? Is this the "Guest Addition"?

-I had troubles with Shared Folders. I click Device>Shared Folders> Add..identify the path>click OK. But When I open MyComputer in the virtualbox I cannot see the folder:-(...I was trying to install SumatraPDF portable in the vbox...I had to go to the Network Folders and share it there. Then from the virtualbox I included it in the Network Drive Map(Map Network Drive). Only through this did I was able to install SumatraPDF portable. Is what I did correct...? Or is there a better approach than what I did?

b) What maybe best approaches and it's corresponding settings so that the intended trial of a software will be okay/successful, say, as in the normal environment?

c) What about security inside the virtual environment?

-Do I need to install a seperate antivirus inside or can I use my 'main security apps re: AV/firewall/on-demand security apps'..?

-If I can use my 'main system security apps', how can I make it work inside and then outside the virtualbox?

-Can I use Share Folders to use my existing security apps function in my virtualbox? I have installed Avira Personal in the virtualbox but I cannot update it manually....error on update.

-What are best approaches so I will be sure that my 'main system' will not be affected by any malware that may get it's way in the virtualbox? What measures that I need to do so there will not be untowarsd virus transfer from the virtualbox to the 'main system'?

d) This thing just came in my mind....Can I restore an image backup to an existing virtualbox? Is that possible...? Or is it advisable?

e) Can I install a different OS in a virtualbox? Can a 'main system' with XP SP3 have a virtualbox with Vista or better yet Linux or Windows7? If for Vista/Windows7 which I tried in a seperate hdd(on same test system) I did compatibility mode for certain drivers. How will this be in virtualbox?

f) Well, this is very elementary but here goes..I use only an 17inch LCD monitor and the display of the virtualbox is at 920x606...Can I make the display smaller..fonts/icons all-in-all..so if I let the virtualbox float in "unmaximized"...

g) Can I run SuRun inside virtualbox...? Is it advisable?

h) If I have Returnil 2011 running in my 'main system' how can it affect my virtualbox? Are there any issues based on experiences?

i) Lastly I'd like to ask this one for the users of VirtualBox...if I may, to get ideas as to how to use it more effectively. How do you use VirtualBox? For what purpose and approaches?

I know these are basic questions (quite many and long too...pardon) for long time users but please bear with me here. I do wanna learn it and use it effectively/efficiently given the resources at hand.

Any suggestions is okay appreciated.

[Pilgrim]

Hi Jason,

My suggestion is that you start HERE and have a good read.

I have been using VB for the last couple of years to try out various Linux distributions but I make no claim to being an expert on it.

After having a look at the link above try entering any specific questions you have into a search engine as there is a vast amount of information already out there about VB.
That's not to say that people here will not be willing to help you but you can find out a lot from how-to's and tutorials yourself.

[JayCub]

Sound advice Pilgrim, having a good read beforehand opens the world up to you and any stumbling blocks can be covered by the community.. im one to jump in myself and if i read a good tutorial i would print it off for reference, and to my shame i must have used a tree..

[jason7619]

Howdy;

Thank you for link. Now reading and compare with "Help Files". Am not very a pc know how plus I am not a native English speaker so I tend to ask more questions than usual. Will get back when I test something in the virtualbox I created.