Running the eeePC OS within VirtualBox

yet another geek

Running the eeePC OS within VirtualBox 2008-08-19

For some of us, it may be helpful to run the eeePC OS within a virtual machine. There are instructions and config files on the web, but in the case of VirtualBox, I found that some things were missing.
There are nice instructions on wiki.eeeuser.com, on how one can create a disk image from the "Restore eeePC" image, which you can find on SourceForge and on the CD that came with your eeePC.

Unfortunately, the eeepc kernel lacks some drivers needed to make networking and sound work within VirtualBox. I made some debian packages, which install those missing drivers and also matching kernel headers to the 2.6.21.4-eeepc kernel image that comes with the "Restore eeePC" image. The headers are needed, if you want to install the VirtualBox Guest Additions on your virtualized eeePC.

So, these are the steps to run the eeePC OS within VirtualBox.
  • Follow the steps from this wiki.eeeuser.com article to create a VirtualBox disk image
  • Download the ISO image, that contains my .deb packages
  • After starting the virtual eeePC, through the VirtualBox GUI, attach the above ISO image as a virtual CD-ROM drive. The eeePC OS will then automatically mount the virtual CD-ROM
  • Within the eeePC OS, open a terminal and execute the following commands 
    cd /media/D\:/eeepc-virtualbox-support
sudo dpkg -i *.deb
  • Open /etc/modules with an editor 
    sudo mcedit /etc/modules
    add 2 lines 
    pcnet32
snd-intel8x0
    and save.
  • Now that the needed kernel headers are installed, follow the VirtualBox documentation to install the VirtualBox Guest Additions.
  • reboot the vm
    Posted by Carsten in eeePC, Linux - 2 Comments
    « Update 1 of my eeePC package repository    Update 2 of my eeePC package repository »

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    Comments
    Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

    #1 - Anton said:
    2009-07-23 10:51 - (Reply)

    Very useful information

    #2 - Angela said:
    2009-08-05 15:50 - (Reply)

    Thanks for this. It really helped me out!


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