PC VIRTUALIZATION USING VIRTUALBOX (Part 1 of 2)

PC Virtualization software is application that can be used to make a virtual PC environment in your PC. You can run a Linux liveCD in your Windows without having to restart your PC, install new OS without having to partition your disk or maybe testing new software without messing your registry. PC Virtualization runs directly on top of your current operating system and runs like a normal application. PC Virtualization consists of two elements, the “host” or your physical PC (Real PC) and “guest” or your virtual machine (VirtualPC).
VirtualBox is one of PC Virtualization software. It’s free, run in many host operating system [Windows, Linux, Apple Mac OS and Solaris] and support many guest operating system [DOS, Windows, Linux, BS and OS/2]. You can download it here.

In this article I’ll show you how to install a Windows operating system on your current Windows operating system (If you’re using Microsoft Windows) using VirtualBox. This first part of the tutorial will assist you in setting up a new virtual machine for your guest operating system.


1. Creating a New Virtual Machine (VM)

- Click Start > Programs > Sun xVM VirtualBox > VirtualBox
- Click New > Next
- Type the VM name
- Choose the Guest OS Type
- Click Next

2. Allocating RAM for your VM
- Move the slider as needed (Min. 128 MB for Windows XP)
- Click Next

Notes: Choose this setting carefully, make sure that the allocated RAM for your VM not exceeding your installed RAM.

3. Specifying a Virtual Hard Disk for your VM
- Click New
- Click Next
- Choose Fixed-size storage (recommended for better performance)
- Click Next
- Set the location of the Virtual Disk
- Specify the Virtual Disk size (Min. 1.5 GB for Windows XP)
- Click Next
- Click Finish,
- Proceed to next step by clicking Next then Finish

4. Advance Setting and Tweaks for your VM

- Click Setting on the main VirtualBox window (you will see the settings for your current VM)

- Tweaks
\\ On General > Basic Tab
> Specify the Video Memory Size (optional)
> Enable 3D Acceleration

\\ On Hard Disks Tab
> Enable SATA Controller
> Choose SATA Port 0 for your current Hard Disk
> Add new Virtual Disk for your secondary storage (optional)

\\ On CD/DVD Rom Tab
> Check Mount CD/DVD Drive
> Specify your Windows XP installation CD location (ISO Image or Host Drive) – this is will be used when installing guest operating system

\\ On Floppy Drive Tab
> Check Mount Floppy Drive (optional)

\\ On Audio Tab
> Check Enable Audio (for audio output support)
> Choose Windows DirectSound (enable audio)
> Choose Audio Controller

\\ On Network Tab
> Check Enable Network Adapter (for communicating with outside world ^_^).
> Check Cable Connected (plugged)

\\ On Serial Ports Tab
> Check Enable Serial Port (optional)

\\ On USB Tab
> Check Enable USB Controller
> Check Enable USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller (for USB 2.0 support)

\\ On Shared Folders Tab
> Add new folder that you want to be shared with the guest operating system

- Click OK

5. Gentleman Start Your Engines!!
- Click Start to run your Brand New Virtual Machine

6. Installing Guest Operating System
- To be concluded …. [part 2]

The rest of tutorial will be concluded on the second part of this tutorial. That’s all for now, as always I hope this “short” explanation will be helpful for you. Don’t forget to leave comments okay? ^_^