Problem Installing VirtualBox (non-OSE)

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#1

I’ve downloaded VirtualBox 3.0.4 to a directory on my local drive, established the directory as a repository, and used YaST to install the program. Yast identified dependencies that it was able to resolve, and the installation completed normally.

It appears that there must be some problem with the install, though. When I try to execute VBox, the program begins to load (I’m watching a small bouncing icon for several seconds), but fails - bouncing cursor just stops and window item on taskbar disappears.

I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled, rebooting system at each step, but to no avail.

Any help with troubleshooting?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

#2

What happens if you try to start it from the command line by typing “VirtualBox” ? Do you see any particular message ?

You might also try to run “/etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup” as root to set up the kernel module.

#3

Download the rpm from here: Linux_Downloads - VirtualBox

From the download location in a su terminal do:

rpm -ihv *package_name

make sure you have already installed: kernel-source, make, gcc, kernel-headers

#4

Sorry. I see you installed ok.
As quoted @PVince81 above would be needed.

also add yourself to the VBox users
VirtualBox Installation - openSUSE

#5

Here’s the output from “vboxdrv setup” -

linux-jx9x:~ # /etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup
Stopping VirtualBox kernel module done
Recompiling VirtualBox kernel module failed
(Look at /var/log/vbox-install.log to find out what went wrong)
linux-jx9x:~ #

Here’s the content of vbox-install.log -

Makefile:174: *** Error: unable to find the include directory for your current Linux kernel. Specify KERN_INCL=<directory> and run Make again. Stop.

Also found this in the start-up log -

Starting HAL daemonStarting VirtualBox kernel modulefailed
(modprobe vboxdrv failed. Please use ‘dmesg’ to find out why)

#6

Also, have now added my user ID as a member of “vboxusers” group.

#7

Make sure you have installed: kernel-source, make, gcc, kernel-headers

#8

kernel-source and gcc installed (-headers and make were already installed).

Retry vboxdrv setup?

#9

Go ahead retry

#10

Retried vboxdrv setup (as root), successfully stopped, recompiled, and started kernel module.

Switched back to user session, retried running “VirtualBox” from command line, got “/usr/lib/virtualbox/VirtualBox” permission denied.

I’ve confirmed that user ID is a member of “vboxusers”.

Checked permissions on /usr/lib/virtualbox/VirtualBox" file, confirmed that “vboxusers” is owning group, and that file has group executable permission.

#11

There is something slightly worrying about your comments, as it sounds like you have actually been logging in as root, rather than using su ?

try a reboot

#12

Reboot seems to have done the trick.

Yes, to troubleshoot the user session, I started a second session as root for the superuser procedures, and would toggle back and forth while testing the steps.

During original openSUSE installation, I opted to set a root password.

Is this troubleshooting approach problematic?

#13

You should never login as root user. Only perform root actions from user account with su in a terminal.
So open a terminal and type: su
then it will ask for root password, type it it doesn’t display as you type!)

A user terminal will look like this :~>
A root terminal like this #

#14

I’ll follow your advice on the su vs. root issue (and explore the rationale for it on another day).

Was able to launch VirtualBox; will test further with setup of a vm tomorrow (going offline here, just after midnight in Texas, and our baby daughter wakes up early).

Many thanks to cal and vince for the gracious assistance.

#15

You are welcome;)