Virtual Box crashing Win7

HereBeDragons

1429 Posts

October 20 2011 22:43 GMT

I've successfully installed Linux alongside my existing Win7 before, but I later felt that I still prefer to switch around with both OS as I only use it for projects - so I've decided to use Virtual Box.

After I installed Virtual Box on my laptop, the next reboot results in a blue screen of death every start up. After doing a system restore to just before installing the program, the blue screen stops, so it must be Virtual Box causing it. I did some googling and it seems to be a common problem with 64-bits windows with some kind of incompatibility with the BIOS, but I really don't know since I only have beginners level of computer knowledge. Could anyone shed some light into this and tell me how can I avoid this problem?

This is the spec of my laptop:

Fujitsu LH530 (the 13.3" variant)

Motherboard: FUJITSU FJNBB04
CPU: Intel Core i5 M450 @ 2.40GHz
GPU: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD
RAM: 2GB DDR3 Kingston and 2GB DDR3 Samsung
HDD: 320GB partitioned into 83GB for C drive, and 214GB for another. Plenty of free space on both.
OS: Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit (6.1, build 7600)

I tried to install "VirtualBox 4.1.4 for Windows hosts" from here

TheToast

United States4808 Posts

October 20 2011 23:58 GMT

Interesting, I'm actually one version behind with Virtual Box (4.0.xxx); but I have 64 bit Windows 7 and have had no problems at all. Though I'm on an HP laptop.

This is a tough one, Virtual machines install a number of drivers and also install what is essentially "virtual hardware". For instance, if I do an ipconfig/ all command at a command prompt in Windows (my host OS), I will see a number of networking adapters for Virtual Box and Microsoft Virtual PC (which I also have installed). They are not actual hardware, but Windows treats them like they are to be able to support certain function of the VM. It is possible that one of the drivers or devices that Virtual Box is trying to install is causing issues. If it is, I'm not sure what exactly you can do about it.

If you want to continue troubleshooting, my first recommendation, however, is to re-download the file and attempt to install it again. It's possible that the file was corrupted when you downloaded it or some files were corrupted while the installation was running. Before doing this though, I highly suggest you backup your files somewhere.

I took a look through the Virtual Box help topics and don't see anything about windows crashes. If you are still having problems after a reinstall, I think part or all of the BSOD error are going to be necessary you help you further.

Although, another option you have is to try a different VM. While I much prefer Virtual Box for Linux, MS Virtual PC should be able to do what you need it to. (if you are using Windows as the guest OS, MS Virtual PC is def the way to go though)

ppdealer

Canada163 Posts

October 21 2011 00:17 GMT

Try installing Virtualbox without USB and bridged-network support, also check Fujitsu to see if they have any BIOS update.

HereBeDragons

1429 Posts

October 21 2011 00:17 GMT

Both the download and install process were clean, I retried multiple times already, so I don't think it's file corruption.

How can I get info on the BSOD error? The .dmp files?

I'm using Windows as the Host and Linux as the guest. I might try another VM as you said - might be less of a hassle.

Dynastywar

United States59 Posts

October 21 2011 02:21 GMT

I've only messed with VM a little, but you could try messing with different settings, most under the system area (extended features, hardware virtualization). Change video memory allocated, along with video acceleration. turn off audio and network incase somethings disaggreeing with the drivers.

TheToast

United States4808 Posts

October 21 2011 02:47 GMT

On October 21 2011 09:17 HereBeDragons wrote:
Both the download and install process were clean, I retried multiple times already, so I don't think it's file corruption.

How can I get info on the BSOD error? The .dmp files?

I'm using Windows as the Host and Linux as the guest. I might try another VM as you said - might be less of a hassle.

There is a whole thread on BSODs Here that should help.

Usually if I get a BSOD I look at the file or driver that is listed as causing problems and work back from this.

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