The Ubuntu Virtual Machine: For An Internet Safety Layer (Part IV)
Joe M posted in Home Support, free stuff, products on May 27th, 2009
Finally, I conclude the series of setting up a virtual machine running Ubuntu, on top of Windows.
(Windows is my host, Ubuntu is called my guest.)
Now, I address the following message:
In order to stop the mouse and keyboard capture behavior from my VM, I have to install VirtualBox Guest Additions.
I choose Devices from the outer menu, then Install Guest Additions.
It downloads the ISO file, then automatically mounts the image as a CD for me. At this point, Ubuntu thinks I have downloaded an image, burned the image to a CD, then loaded it in the CD drive on my VM.
From the Ubuntu menu, I choose Applications… Accessories… then Terminal.
My terminal (Linux command line) pops up.
I type cd /cdrom and press Enter.
Next, I type sudo sh autorun.sh and press Enter.
It prompts me for my password, and I enter it.
The script that installs Guest Additions is activated.
It will take about five minutes to run.
When it completes, I press Enter to close the child window.
Now, when I move the mouse between Windows in the background or Ubuntu in the foreground, the pointer will work in either case.
That’s without having to use Right-CTRL to activate and deactivate the toggle for mouse and keyboard capture.
That’s much more intuitive, and easier to use.
To get rid of the Guest Additions CD on the desktop, I right-click and choose Eject Volume.
A few more notes…
Ubuntu has updates, just like Windows.
When it comes time to update, depending on which version of Ubuntu I am using…
Either a box will pop up, the Update Manager; or I will get an icon in the tray at the top of the screen.
(I have to enter your password in order to install the updates.)
If I want to play around more, installing software in the VM, I choose System… Administration… Synaptic Package Manager.
I type in the password.
Synaptic Package Manager runs. In the search box at the top, I can search for whatever type of software I need or want to try out.
For the most part, it’s free to use.
Now, I have Guest Additions installed and I can move my mouse and click freely between the Ubuntu VM and Windows, without wondering where my mouse or keyboard is… or having to contend with Right-CTRL.
At this point, I have a fully functional copy of Ubuntu, running as a guest Operating System on top of Windows, my host Operating System.
Ubuntu is virtually unaware of the Windows Operating System running underneath.
Some final notes:
It’s a great layer of security to use Firefox from inside the VM.
For playing, searching and goofing around… I can use the VM.
It is true, that some websites won’t work properly, if I don’t use Internet Explorer.
Most websites these days are becoming more standards compliant, and ensuring function inside of Firefox (and Linux) as well as Internet Explorer and Safari (OS X).
At this point…
I encourage you to jump in and play around. Enjoy the learning experience.