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    how to update virtual box

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Retreat, Jan 6, 2011.

  1. Retreat

    Retreat Notebook Enthusiast

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    What's the best procedure to update your version of virtualbox ?
    Do you run the latest installation setup file over a version that already exists or do you uninstall the old version and then reboot and do the installation after that...
    I want to retain the current virtual machines that i already made with the previous version and need them to work with the new version of virtual box
     
    Retreat, Jan 6, 2011
    #1
  2. tdf

    tdf Notebook Consultant

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    Uninstalling/doing clean install of the new version would be best. I actually installed the new version on top of the old one and it was fine except it wasn't able to install the host-only driver, so YMMV. The installer doesn't touch the actual virtual machines in either case.
     
    tdf, Jan 6, 2011
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  3. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    why is a deinstall/reinstall 'best'. Please be very specific in terms of how virtual box runs.
     
    newsposter, Jan 6, 2011
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  4. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    I just run the new installer. It works fine. Just make sure VirtualBox is shut down.

    Uninstalling and reinstalling is a HUGE pain because it involves multiple reboots because you have to remove the network drivers, reboot, install the new version, then reboot again, etc.
     
    Pitabred, Jan 6, 2011
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  5. tdf

    tdf Notebook Consultant

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    Not sure what you mean by being specific to how VB runs, I think it's true for any large application. From personal experience, most of the time it helps to break it down into two separate steps to minimize the amount of time spent on figuring out why something doesn't work after an upgrade install, especially when drivers are involved.
     
    tdf, Jan 7, 2011
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  6. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    you are assuming the VB has a 'problem' with updates when there is no such problem.

    just go and update it.
     
    newsposter, Jan 7, 2011
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  7. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    VirtualBox is not a large application. And I'm speaking from experience of running it as part of my daily job... just run the update.
     
    Pitabred, Jan 7, 2011
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  8. Retreat

    Retreat Notebook Enthusiast

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    yeah i did the update.....just installed the new version on top of the old one..
    Everything seems to work fine..also all the virtual machines ver intact and functioning as usual
     
    Retreat, Jan 8, 2011
    #8