How to

install
Ubuntu in
Oracle VM
VirtualBox?
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................3
How to have Ubuntu? ................................................................................................................................................3
Ways to Install Ubuntu ...............................................................................................................................................3
Installation of Ubuntu in VirtualBox ...........................................................................................................................3
Creating New Virtual Machine ...............................................................................................................................3
Creating New Virtual Hard Disk ..............................................................................................................................7
Adding ISO file as a Virtual CD ............................................................................................................................. 10
Initiating Installation of Ubuntu .......................................................................................................................... 18
Customization of Ubuntu .................................................................................................................................... 25
Introduction
Ubuntu is an open source operating system based on Debian GNU/Linux Distribution. In South African language,
Ubuntu means “humanity towards others”. Currently, it has more than 12 million users around the globe. This
OS is specifically designed for desktops, servers, laptops, and netbooks. An UK-based company Canonical Pvt.
Ltd. is sponsoring the Ubuntu right now. This company allows free and open source distribution of Ubuntu,
whereas generates money by selling technical support and other services.

How to have Ubuntu?

• Download it free in ISO format from http://www.ubuntu.com.
• Request a Live CD of Ubuntu at http://shipit.ubuntu.com.

NOTE: You can download the Ubuntu in ISO format and burn a disc using it. If you’ve a slow speed or limited
bandwidth connection, then prefer to order the Live CD.

Ways to Install Ubuntu

• Boot the computer directly from the CD and run Ubuntu
• Install the Ubuntu only in your computer or make it dual boot along with Windows or any other
compatible operating system.
• Install any virtual machine software like Oracle VM VirtualBox (open source & free) and VMWare; and
then install Ubuntu virtually in it.

As the scope of this e-book is limited therefore we will guide you how to install the Ubuntu inside an existing
Oracle VM VirtualBox. We request you following below steps for the same.

Installation of Ubuntu in VirtualBox

Creating New Virtual Machine
1. Launch the VirtualBox from Start Menu.

Figure 1: Launching VirtualBox from Start Menu

The VirtualBox appears on your screen.

Figure 2: Oracle VM VirtualBox

2. Click on New button on the toolbar. ‘Create New Virtual Machine’ wizard pop-ups on the screen.

Figure 3: ‘Create New Virtual Machine’ Wizard

3. Click on Next. This will display the screen asking to enter the Name, Type, and Version of the Operating
System.

Figure 4: Wizard asking OS type

4. Enter “Ubuntu” in the text box labeled ‘Name’. It will automatically detect the OS Type and Version.

Figure 5: Ubuntu OS

5. In the next wizard, you have to specify the appropriate amount of RAM for the OS. The default size is
512MB, we suggest you to keep the same.

Figure 6: Specify the RAM for Ubuntu

Click on ‘Next’ button.
Creating New Virtual Hard Disk

6. Now, the VirtualBox asks to setup the ‘Virtual Hard Disk’. Here, recommended size is 8192MB.

Figure 7: Virtual Hard Disk

7. On this screen, click on Next. This will bring “Create New Virtual Disk” wizard.

Figure 8: Create New Virtual Disk

Here, you have to click on Next.
8. Now, this wizard asks whether you want to create a dynamically expanding storage or fixed-size storage.
The default and recommended option is dynamically expanding storage as the Guest OS (Ubuntu) may
ask for more space while installation or any other work.

Figure 9: Hard Disk Storage Type

Select the appropriate option and click on Next.
9. Now, you have to set the size of virtual disk drive and select its location. You can enter the click on to
customize the location to store virtual disk.

Figure 10: Virtual Disk Location & Size

 We suggest you to have 4GB size for your virtual hard disk if you’ve selected “Dynamically expanding
storage” in the previous step. Ubuntu will itself increase the size if it requires. Click on Next after setting
the size.

10. Now, click on Finish to end up the ‘Create New Virtual Disk Wizard’.

Figure 11: End of Create New Virtual Disk Wizard

11. After clicking on Finish, it will complete the ‘Create New Virtual Machine Wizard’.

Figure 12: ‘Create New Virtual Machine’ wizard completed.

 12. Now, the virtual Ubuntu machine will be displayed in the left sidebar as shown below.

Figure 13: VirtualBox displaying virtual Ubuntu machine

Adding ISO file as a Virtual CD

13. Now, click on File menu and then select ‘Virtual Media Manager’.

Figure 14: File menu>Virtual Media Manager

This will show the ‘Virtual Media Manager’ window.

Figure 15: Virtual Media Manager

14. Click on “CD/DVD Images” Tab. If you’ve installed VirtualBox first time to run Ubuntu then this tab will
remain blank else you can see added virtual CDs here. In our case, it is blank.

Figure 16: CD/DVD Images

15. Click on Add button on the top. It will show the ‘Select a CD/DVD-ROM disk image file’. We’ve previously
downloaded Ubuntu 10.10 desktop edition, therefore, we’ve selected its path as shown below.

Figure 17: Add New CD/DVD-ROM Image file

16. Select the Ubuntu image, which you have downloaded and click Open. This will add the Ubuntu’s ISO file
as virtual CD.

Figure 18: Virtual Ubuntu Installation CD

Click on OK at this window.

17. Now, click on Machine menu and then select Settings.

Figure 19: Machine menu>Settings option

This will display the ‘Ubuntu – Settings’ wizard.

 Figure 20: Settings wizard for Ubuntu

Tip: You can also click on ‘Settings’ button on the toolbar or press Ctrl+S to bring the Setings wizard.
18. Now, click on ‘Storage’ option in the left panel.

Figure 21: Ubuntu Storage Settings

19. Select ‘Empty’ under IDE Controller, and then click on drop-down arrow in box labeled ‘CD/DVD Devices’
in the right panel.

Figure 22: Select Virtual Ubuntu Installation Disk

Click on OK button.
Initiating Installation of Ubuntu
20. Now, double click on the Ubuntu machine in the left panel at main window. This will start the Ubuntu
machine and display following screen first.

Figure 23: Virtua Box Information about “Auto capture keyboard” option

This information box says that ‘Auto Capture keyboard’ option is turned on while starting the virtual
machine. This option enables your mouse and keyboard to work only on the virtual machine and not on
real computer at which you’ve installed virtual OS. You can press “Right Ctrl’ key to activate the mouse
and keyboard for real computer. We suggest you to click “Do not show this message again” to avoid this
screen in future and remember the Right Ctrl key only.

Click on OK button.
21. Now, you will see following screen.

Figure 24: VirtualBox Information for “16-bit color”

Here it shows that Ubuntu OS is running in 16-bit color, whereas VirtualBox is optimized for working in
32-bit color. You can avoid this warning as the installation goes in 16-bit color. You can click on OK
button.

22. Now, go to Machine menu and click on ‘Enter Full Screen’.

’
Figure 25: Machine menu for ‘Virtual Machine’
 This will show following screen:: -

Figure 26: VirtualBox Info for Full Screen

Select “Do not show this message again” and click Switch.

23. The installation of Ubuntu starts from here. At the first screen, you have to select the language and the
first preference goes to English.

Figure 27: First Ubuntu Installation Screen

Click on the ‘Install Ubuntu’ button to continue with installation.
24. The next screen asks your computer to connect with Internet to download latest updates, and third-
party software like MP3 and MPEG plugin. Click on Forward.

Figure 28: Windows asking to install updates and plugin

25. On the next screen, you have to select whether you want to ‘Erase and use the entire disk’ or ‘Specify
the partitions manually (advanced)’.

Figure 29: Allocate drive space

If you select ‘Specify partitions manually (advanced)’ then it displays following screens to setup the
partitions manually.

Figure 30: Partition Table Wizard

 As we are installing the Ubuntu virtually in VirtualBox at a Virtual Disk then we suggest you to select
‘Erase and use Entire disk’. You can click on ‘Back’ button to return at previous screen and then click on
‘Forward’.

26. Here, you have to specify the disk to install Ubuntu. The Virtual disk created earlier is selected by
default.

Figure 31: Select Disk

Click on ‘Install Now’ button.
27. The next screen shows your location and time zone. You can change if you do not find it correct. We like
that the installation wizard doesn’t stuck for user action. It continues to copy the files and user can
select the time zone in parallel.

Figure 32: Select Location & Time Zone

Click on Forward button.
Customization of Ubuntu
28. Now, you have to select your keyboard layout. USA is selected by default in the Country and Keyboard
sections. If you get confused like me to select which one, then click on ‘Figure out keyboard layout’.

Figure 33: Keyboard Layout

Click on ‘Forward’ button.

29. The next step asks you to enter your personal information. It asks to enter your name, computer name,
username and a password. You can also select the option to login automatically when you start the
Ubuntu. In addition, you can also add extra security by encrypting your home folder.

Figure 34: Who are you?

Enter your information and click Forward button.

30. The next screen will download the updates, third party plug
plug-ins,
ins, and language packs.

Figure 35: Wizard to download third

third-party plug-ins,
ins, codecs and language pack

The downloading of plug-insins and language pack will take about 30 to 45 minutes. The time may vary
according to your Internet connection speed. In addition, the total installation can take
ta 40 to 45
minutes; again it clearly depends upon the system performance.
 You will see following screen after the completion of installation.

Figure 36: Installation of Ubuntu completed hereby

Click on ‘Restart Now’ button.

31. If you notice following screen

Figure 37: Remove virtual Ubuntu disk after installation

 Then go to Devices menu>CD/DVD Devices, and click ‘Unmount CD/DVD Devices’.

32. Go to Machine menu and click Reset. This will restart the machine and then you arrive at Ubuntu
Desktop.

Figure 38. Ubuntu Desktop

 33. Now, login with your username and move ahead with Ubuntu.

Figure 39: Welcome to Ubuntu

Note: After installation, Ubuntu will ask to record the Administrator’s pass phrase for encrypting the home
folder. The Update Manager will ask to download and install latest updates. We suggest you completing both
the steps.