VirtualBox, the software that lets you run multiple guest operating systems, (Windows, Mac, Linux) on a single computer has been updated to version 4.2.14 and this brief tutorial is going to show you how to install or upgrade to it in Ubuntu.
This update brings many changes, including a work around for Linux hosts for not crashing as the result of automatic NUMA balancing which was introduced in Linux kernel 3.8. In addition to that, it also fixes a bug when compiling against Linux 3.2.0 Ubuntu kernels and problems copying and pasting between two guest machines on an X11 host.
For more information about this release, please check out the release page and view the Changelog.
Some of the changes that were added to this release are as followed:
- Storage: fixed lost writes if iSCSI is used with snapshots and asynchronous I/O (bug #11479)
- VBoxManage: fixed setting the parent UUID on diff images using sethdparentuuid
- Windows Additions: Seamless mode and auto-resize fixes
- Settings: limit depth of snapshot tree to 250 levels, as more will lead to decreased performance and may trigger crashes
Windows and Mac OS X users can download and install or upgrade from the download page.
For Ubuntu users, press Ctrl – Alt – T on your keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the commands below to add its repository’s key in Ubuntu.
wget -q http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/oracle_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
Next, run the commands below to add its software repository in Ubuntu
sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -sc) contrib" >> /etc/apt/sources.list'
Finally, run the commands below to update your system and install / upgrade VirtualBox.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install virtualbox-4.2
After installing it, go to Ubuntu Dash and launch it. If you wish to completely remove or uninstall it, run the commands below.
sudo apt-get purge virtualbox-4.2 && sudo apt-get autoremove
To get rid of it repository’s key, go to System Settings –> Software & Updates –> Other Software tab, then select and remove the key from your system.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to install VirtualBox 4.2.14 in Ubuntu 13.04?
To install VirtualBox 4.2.14 in Ubuntu 13.04, you need to add the repository key and software repository in Ubuntu using terminal commands, followed by updating your system and installing VirtualBox.
What are the changes in VirtualBox 4.2.14 for Linux hosts?
VirtualBox 4.2.14 for Linux hosts includes a workaround for automatic NUMA balancing in Linux kernel 3.8 to prevent crashes, bug fixes when compiling against Linux 3.2.0 Ubuntu kernels, and improvements for copying and pasting between guest machines on an X11 host.
How to upgrade VirtualBox in Ubuntu without losing data?
To upgrade VirtualBox in Ubuntu without losing data, ensure you have backed up your virtual machines, then follow the steps to add the new repository key, update the system, and install the latest version of VirtualBox.
What are the fixes for Windows users in VirtualBox 4.2.14?
VirtualBox 4.2.14 for Windows users includes fixes for Seamless mode and auto-resize issues, as well as addressing lost writes when using iSCSI with snapshots and asynchronous I/O.
How to launch VirtualBox after installing in Ubuntu?
After installing VirtualBox in Ubuntu, you can launch it by going to Ubuntu Dash and searching for VirtualBox, then click on the icon to open the application.
What is the recommended snapshot tree depth limit in VirtualBox 4.2.14 settings?
In VirtualBox 4.2.14 settings, it is recommended to limit the depth of the snapshot tree to 250 levels to avoid decreased performance and potential crashes beyond that limit.
How to fix issues with copying and pasting between guest machines in VirtualBox?
To fix problems with copying and pasting between guest machines in VirtualBox, make sure the Guest Additions are installed on both guest machines and enable shared clipboard and drag and drop features in the VirtualBox settings.
What are the steps to completely remove VirtualBox from Ubuntu?
To completely remove VirtualBox from Ubuntu, you can run commands to uninstall the software, remove its repository from the software sources list, and delete any remaining configuration files associated with VirtualBox.
