Ubuntu

VirtualBox Install Problem

Asked by gazmania

I have installed ubuntu for the first time Version 7.10. I went to virtualbox.org and installed the version for gutsy gibbon. I went to use Virtual Box and got the following message...

VirtualBox kernel driver not installed. The vboxdrv kernel module was either not loaded or /dev/vboxdrv was not created for some reason. Re-setup the kernel module by executing '/etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup' as root.
VBox status code: -1908 (VERR_VM_DRIVER_NOT_INSTALLED).

Result Code:
0x80004005
Component:
Console
Interface:
IConsole {1dea5c4b-0753-4193-b909-22330f64ec45}

Apparently a lot of folks using ubuntu 7.10 have this problem. I am new to Ubuntu and have been using XP. Lots of postings in forums on how to fix the problem, but they either don't work or I can't follow what they are talking about. A simple step by step solution to this problem would be appreciated by many. Thanks :)

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
gazmania
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Benoit Malet (benoit-malet) said : 		#1

Hello !

Did you try to install via Synaptic ? If not, you should try this way as it fixed the problem for me ...

As a workaround, you just have to open a console before opening VirtualBox and type "sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup", but you'll need to do it everytime you boot ...

Hope this helps !

Regards,
Benoît

Revision history for this message
gazmania (mail2gaz) said : 		#2

Thanks for your reply but that did not work. Instead I got the following message..

 * Stopping VirtualBox kernel module vboxdrv [ OK ]
 * Recompiling VirtualBox kernel module vboxdrv [ OK ]
 * Starting VirtualBox kernel module vboxdrv FATAL: Error inserting vboxdrv (/lib/modules/2.6.22-14-generic/misc/vboxdrv.ko): Invalid argument

 * Modprobe vboxdrv failed. Please use 'dmesg' to find out why.

..... I am new to this and have no idea what "use 'dmesg to find out why" means

Revision history for this message
Benoit Malet (benoit-malet) said : 		#3

Hello !

In fact dmesg is a utility to show the kernel messages. If you're new to Linux world, it won't help you at all ...

If the workaround doesn't work, I guess you'll have to reinstall VirtualBox ... To do it, edit your /etc/apt/sources.list (gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list) and add this line :

deb http://www.virtualbox.org/debian gutsy non-free

Save and quit the text editor, then launch Synaptic and refresh the sources (should be something like "update") and search for virtualbox.

Ask to install or reinstall it (maybe you'll have to try 2 times, because it is already installed)

Regards,
Benoît

Revision history for this message
Denis Hipsey (dhipsey) said : 		#4

 I had this problem - see problem nbr 17462. Following the advice of elart.it I was able to addd
        nmi_watchdog=0 (underscore not hyphen)
 to the defoptions line of menu.lst Then I used a terminal screen to run
          sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv start (Note vboxdrv doesn't appear to have a setup option)
Retrying VirtualBox, allowed me to start Virtualbox.

Denis Hipsey

Revision history for this message
gazmania (mail2gaz) said : 		#5

Can you tell me how to install nmi_watchdog=0 and where to paste exactly?

Revision history for this message
gazmania (mail2gaz) said : 		#6

Hi solved the problem. You have to join the virtual box group to get past that error.

Revision history for this message
ex-para (barrie91) said : 		#7

I have a problem with Virtualbox (the latest version)Box Kernal Driver not installed with Ubuntu 8.04. I have read a few articles about the subject but nothing that will fix it. gazmania said on 2007-11-12 Hi solved the problem. You have to join the virtual box group to get past that error. I have joined and would be great full to get past this problem.

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#8

@ex-para

Please don't append a new question on a already answered or marked as solved question.
Please make new question from here: https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+addquestion
you will get better chance to get right answer on a fresh tagged "open" question.
Solved or answered questions are usually not read from answering people.

Thank you