On my previous blog posts, I covered the installation of VirtualBox 2.1 and I went over the step-by-steps to create a virtual machine to host Windows 7.

I will now go over the details of fixing the sound, video and network adapter.

If you go to Start > Right-click on My Computer > Manage (or run mmc), then you will get the content management window. You should notice that two devices are not properly installed (Base System Device, Ethernet Controller).

Figure 01

Mount Guest Additions

  1. On the VirtualBox machine window, in the menu bar: Click Devices > Install Guest Additions… Figure 02

  2. The AutoPlay window should open to prompt you to run or open. Click on Open/View files to specify yourself what to run. You can access using windows explorer the D drive. Figure 03

  3. Right-click the VBoxWindowsAdditions file and choose properties.

  4. In the Properties window, go to the Compatibility tab. Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box, and choose Windows Vista in the box below it. You can check if you want “Run the program as an administrator”. Click OK. Figure 04

  5. Double-click the VBoxWindowsAdditions file to run it as an administrator. Figure 05

    Click Yes.

  6. If you have nothing happening, make sure to maximize the VirtualBox Guest Additions 2.1.0 Setup window. Figure 06

Guest Additions Installation Wizard

  1. Start the set up.

    Figure 07

    Click Next.

  2. License Agreement.

    Figure 08

    Click I Agree.

  3. Install Location.

    Figure 09

    Click Install.

  4. Installation starts.

    Figure 10

  5. After a few seconds, you’ll be asked if you want to install the Sun display drivers. Select the check box to trust software from “Sun Microsystems, Inc.”.

    Figure 11

    Click Install.

  6. Once the installation is finished, your computer must be restarted in order to complete the installation.

    Figure 12

    Click on Reboot now and Finish.

  7. You should now be able to use your Virtual Machine in Full Screen mode (Right Ctrl + F).

Install Network and Sound devices

  1. Click on Start > Shutdown

    Figure 13

  2. On the VirtualBox Manager window, right-click on the virtual machine > Settings.

    Figure 14

  3. On the Settings window, click on Network. Change the Adapter Type from PCnet-FAST III to Intel PRO/1000 MT Desktop (82540EM)

    Figure 15

  4. On the Settings window, click on Audio. Check Enable Audio.

    In Host Audio Driver, change from “Null Audio Driver” to “Windows DirectSound” (you may have something else there)

    In Audio Controller, select ICH AC97 or any other controller available.

    Click OK.

    Figure 16

  5. Start your virtual machine with Window 7.

  6. You should see a pop-up showing that Windows 7 has found some hardware and has installed the drivers.

    Figure 17

    Make sure to install the audio drivers

    Make sure to go to My Computer > Right-click on Manage > Systems Tools > Device Manager. Under Sound, video and graphic, right-click on the Multimedia Audio Controller > Properties. Go on the Driver tab and

    Figure 18

    Click Update Driver…

    Select Search automatically for updated driver software

    The system should start installing driver software…

    Figure 19

    You should now have your sound installed.

    Figure 20

    Click Close.

    In your device manager window, you should see listed your audio controller.

    Figure 21

    Reboot your virtual machine to complete installation.

  7. You are now done installing Windows 7. 7 for 7.

  8. You can open your internet explorer 8 Beta and have fun with it. 8 for 8.

    Figure 22

Note

  • Windows 7 Beta expires August 2009.
  • Activate Windows if you want to use it more than 30 days. You can run the activation process by searching for ‘Activate Windows’ on the Start Menu.

See Also