[SOLVED] Using VirtualBox in Bridged mode

Here’s the solution to Bridge mode not working in VirtualBox.

So, have you ever experienced the situation where you wanted to set your VM’s network configuration to Bridged mode, but were unable to select any network adapter? For example:

(Image taken from VirtualBox.org, see reference at bottom of article)

It might be because the proper Service is missing from your host’s network configuration. To fix, go to your host’s network adapters:

Right click and choose Properties:

A list of items appears, make sure that the highlighted service “VirtualBox NDIS6 Bridged Network Driver” is available:

If this service is not available, press “Install…” and choose “Service” and press “Add…”:

Next, choose “Oracle Corporation” and then “VirtualBox NDIS6 Bridged Network Driver” and press “OK”:

Now close all dialogs to commit the changes. You should now be able to choose the proper network adapter to use in Bridge mode:

Source: https://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/14127

Posted in Networking, Problem Solving, Uncategorized, Virtual Box, Windows by

VirtualBox – upgrading Windows XP VMs to 2 CPU

As you should know, you are never alone with your technical problems. Every time you stumble upon a problem, there’s someone out there with the answer. The trick is to find that answer.

Today I found the solution to one of my problems, via Alex Klink’s tech blog. His post here, verbatim:

Symptom: If you had Windows XP VM with only 1 CPU created / virtalized earlier you won’t be able to see a second CPU when you add it later.

  1. Make sure you have second CPU added via VM Virtual Box Manager and “Enable IO APIC” checkbox  in System settings on Motherboard tab is checked.
  2. You should see 2 CPUs in Device Manager , but when you run Task Manager, you’ll see only 1 CPU.
  3. MS recommendation for Windows XP is to reinstall Windows (no surprise) as you can see it in this KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283
  4. Do not reinstall Windows, just run run the following from command prompt

    rundll32 syssetup,SetupInfObjectInstallAction ACPIAPIC_MP_HAL 128 %windir%\inf\hal.inf

  5. Reboot when prompted , log on back to Windows XP wait until you see “Windows has finished installing new devices. The software that supports your device requires that you restart your computer. You must restart your computer before the new setting will take effect” and press OK to reboot it again.
  6. Done

Via Alex Klink’s tech blog: VirtualBox – upgrading Windows XP VMs to 2 CPU.

Posted in Problem Solving, Virtual Box, Windows by