Advice Request Virtualbox setup with LMDE7

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anirbandutta01

anirbandutta01

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Please help me setup LMDE7 with Virtualbox. Step by step. And I previously faced an issue ( copy paste issue from host to guest or vice versa ) so I need to fix it.

I think Virtualbox is better than Vmware?

Please guide me. Thanks.
 
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anirbandutta01 said:
Please help me setup LMDE7 with Virtualbox. Step by step. And I previously faced an issue ( copy paste issue from host to guest or vice versa ) so I need to fix it.

I think Virtualbox is better than Vmware?

Please guide me. Thanks.
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VirtualBox vs. VMware

VirtualBox is a reasonable choice for running LMDE in a virtual machine, especially because it is free for personal use and works on Windows, Linux, and macOS hosts. VMware Workstation is also capable and may provide better performance or device integration in some situations.

For a simple LMDE desktop VM, VirtualBox is suitable. The most important point is to install matching versions of VirtualBox and Guest Additions; clipboard problems are commonly caused by missing, outdated, or mismatched Guest Additions.

1. Download the required files

Download:


Do not download VirtualBox or Guest Additions from unofficial download sites.

If LMDE 7 is not yet listed on the official Linux Mint download page, use the currently available official LMDE release rather than an unofficial ISO.

2. Install VirtualBox on the host

On a Windows or macOS host, install VirtualBox using the official installer. Accept the default networking and USB components unless you have a specific reason not to.

On an Ubuntu- or Debian-based Linux host, you can install the distribution-provided package:

Code: 
sudo apt update
sudo apt install virtualbox

The distribution package may not be the newest VirtualBox release. If you need a newer version, use the official Oracle VirtualBox repository, but avoid mixing packages from different VirtualBox sources unless necessary.

After installation, restart the host if VirtualBox requests it.

3. Create the LMDE virtual machine

1. Open VirtualBox and select New.

2. Use settings similar to these:

  • Name: LMDE
  • Type: Linux
  • Version: Debian 64-bit
  • Memory: 4096 MB minimum; 8192 MB is more comfortable if the host has enough RAM
  • Processors: 2 CPUs minimum; 4 CPUs is suitable on a modern host
  • Virtual disk: VDI, dynamically allocated
  • Disk size: 40 GB minimum; 60 GB or more is preferable if you will install applications

Do not assign more than about half of the host’s physical CPU cores or RAM unless you understand the performance implications. The host operating system must retain enough resources to operate normally.

3. Select the new VM and open Settings.

4. Under System] → Motherboard:

  • Keep EFI disabled unless you specifically need UEFI inside the guest.
  • Enable the I/O APIC option if it is not already enabled.

5. Under System] → Processor:

  • Use 2–4 processors.
  • Leave the execution cap at 100%.

6. Under Display:

  • Set video memory to 128 MB.
  • Enable 3D Acceleration only if needed. If you experience graphical glitches, disable it.

7. Under Storage, select the optical drive, choose Choose a disk file, and select the LMDE ISO.

8. Under Network, use NAT initially. This provides normal Internet access without exposing the guest directly to the local network.

9. Start the VM.

4. Install LMDE

1. Start the VM from the LMDE ISO.

2. In the live desktop, start the LMDE installer.

3. Select your language, keyboard layout, time zone, username, and password.

4. For a new virtual machine, choose the option to erase and use the virtual disk. This only affects the virtual disk, not the host’s physical disk, provided you selected the correct VM.

5. Complete the installation and reboot when requested.

6. When the VM reboots, eject the ISO:

  • In the VirtualBox window, select Devices] → Optical Drives] → remove the LMDE ISO.


If the VM repeatedly boots into the installer, the ISO is still attached or the boot order needs adjustment.

5. Install Guest Additions

Guest Additions provide improved display support, mouse integration, shared clipboard, shared folders, and other integration features.

The package-based method is usually easiest on LMDE:

Code: 
sudo apt update
sudo apt install virtualbox-guest-x11 virtualbox-guest-dkms virtualbox-guest-utils

Restart the guest:

Code: 
sudo reboot

The package names may differ slightly depending on the LMDE release and repositories. If a package is unavailable, use the ISO method below.

Alternative: install Guest Additions from the VirtualBox ISO

1. Start the LMDE VM.

2. In the VM window, select:

Code: 
Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD Image

3. Open the mounted CD in LMDE.

4. Run the installer from a terminal. The exact mount path may vary, but it is often:

Code: 
cd /media/$USER/VBox_GAs_*
sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run

5. If the installer reports missing build tools or kernel headers, install them:

Code: 
sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)

6. Run the Guest Additions installer again and restart LMDE.

Do not normally install both the distribution Guest Additions packages and the ISO version at the same time. Mixing versions can cause clipboard, display, or kernel-module problems.

6. Enable copy and paste

Shut down the LMDE VM completely. Do not use the saved state.

In VirtualBox:

  • Select the LMDE VM.
  • Open Settings] → General] → Advanced].
    [*]Set Shared Clipboard] to Bidirectional].
    [*]Optionally set Drag'n'Drop] to Bidirectional], although clipboard sharing is generally more reliable and safer.


Start the VM and test plain text in both directions.

Clipboard sharing requires:

  • Guest Additions to be installed and running.
  • A supported graphical desktop session.
  • Matching or compatible VirtualBox and Guest Additions versions.
  • The VM to be fully powered off when changing some settings.

7. If copy and paste still does not work

Try these steps in order:

  • Restart the LMDE guest after installing Guest Additions.
  • Confirm that Shared Clipboard] is set to Bidirectional].
    [*]Update the guest:


Code: 
sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade
sudo reboot

  • Check whether Guest Additions services are running:

Code: 
systemctl status vboxadd-service

  • Check whether the VirtualBox kernel modules are loaded:

Code: 
lsmod | grep vbox

You may see modules such as
Code: 
vboxguest
and
Code: 
vboxsf
.

If they are missing, reinstall the distribution packages:

Code: 
sudo apt install --reinstall virtualbox-guest-x11 virtualbox-guest-dkms virtualbox-guest-utils
sudo reboot

If you installed Guest Additions from the ISO, open the VirtualBox menu and check Help] → About VirtualBox] for the host version. The Guest Additions ISO should normally come from the same VirtualBox version.

Also test with ordinary unformatted text. Copying rich text, images, files, or content from a sandboxed application may not work consistently through the VirtualBox shared clipboard.

8. Clipboard process troubleshooting

On a Cinnamon/X11 session, the Guest Additions clipboard process is normally started automatically. Check for it with:

Code: 
ps aux | grep VBoxClient

You may see a process similar to:

Code: 
VBoxClient --clipboard

If it is not running, test it manually:

Code: 
VBoxClient --clipboard &

If this fixes the problem temporarily, log out and back in, then check the desktop’s startup applications. Do not configure multiple copies of
Code: 
VBoxClient --clipboard
, because duplicate processes can cause confusing behavior.

9. Recommended VirtualBox settings after installation

  • Use NAT networking unless the VM needs to appear as a separate machine on the local network.
  • Take a snapshot after LMDE, updates, and Guest Additions are working.
  • Keep at least 15–20 GB free inside the virtual disk.
  • Avoid enabling unnecessary shared folders or bidirectional drag-and-drop.
  • Do not store sensitive data in shared folders unless you trust both the host and guest environments.
  • Install VirtualBox Extension Pack only from the official VirtualBox website, and ensure its version matches VirtualBox. Review its licensing terms before installing.

Important clipboard limitation

Bidirectional clipboard sharing is convenient but reduces isolation between the host and guest. Text copied in the guest may become available to host applications, and vice versa. For testing potentially unsafe files or websites, it is safer to disable shared clipboard, drag-and-drop, and shared folders.

The normal reliable setup is: matching VirtualBox and Guest Additions versions, the LMDE Guest Additions packages installed, the VM rebooted, and Shared Clipboard] set to Bidirectional].
 
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