Creating a Virtual Machine

Before you can install an operating system, you need to create a virtual machine. Click the New button to start the new virtual machine wizard. Click the Next button to see the screen in Figure 2.8.1a:

1.1.1.1 2.8.1 Creating a Virtual Machine Figure 2.8.1a: Type in a Name and Select the Operating System for the New Virtual Machine

Enter a name for your virtual machine, which can be anything that makes sense to you. Click the Operating System drop down menu and select BSD which will automatically change the Version menu to FreeBSD. Click Next to see the screen in Figure 2.8.1b.

Figure 2.8.1b: Select the Amount of Memory Reserved for the Virtual Machine

1.1.1.2 2.8.1 Creating a Virtual Machine The base memory size should be changed to at least 512 MB. If your system has a lot of RAM, you should probably assign more memory to your virtual machine. Any number within the green area is considered a safe value by VirtualBox, meaning it should not slow down your computer too much.

When finished, click Next to see the screen in Figure 2.8.1c.

Figure 2.8.1c: Select Whether to Use an Existing or Create a New Virtual Disk

This screen is used to create the virtual hard disk--in other words, the amount of disk space that will be available to the virtual machine. If this is your first virtual machine, keep the default of "Create new hard disk" and click Next. If you have created a virtual machine in the past and wish to reuse its disk space, select "Use existing hard disk" and select it from the drop down menu. You can create as many virtual machines as you wish. However, if your computer is getting low in disk space, you should consider reusing existing virtual hard disks to prevent your hard drive from being used up by old virtual machines.

If you choose to create a new hard disk, the "Create New Virtual Disk Wizard" will launch when you click Next. Click the Next button to see the screen in Figure 2.8.1d.

You can now choose whether you want "Dynamically expanding storage" or "Fixed-size storage". The first option uses disk space as needed until it reaches the maximum size that you will set in the next screen. The second option creates a disk the same size as that specified amount of disk space, whether it's used or not. Choose the first option if you are worried about disk space; otherwise choose the second option as it allows VirtualBox to run slightly faster. Once you select Next, you'll see the screen in Figure 2.8.1e.

1.1.1.1 2.8.1 Creating a Virtual Machine Figure 2.8.1d: Select the Storage Type for the Virtual Disk

Figure 2.8.1e: Select the File Name and Size of the Virtual Disk

1.1.1.2 2.8.1 Creating a Virtual Machine This screen is used to set the size (or upper limit) of the virtual machine. If you plan to install PC-BSD into the virtual machine, increase the size to at least 15 GB or you will receive an error during the PC-BSD installation. Depending upon your current operating system and if you plan to install PBIs within the virtual machine, you will probably want to choose at least 20 - 30GB. Whatever size you set, make sure that your computer has enough free disk space to support it. Once you make your selection and press Next, you'll see a summary of your choices. You can use the Back button to return to a previous screen if you wish to change any values. Otherwise, click Finish to finish using the wizard. Your virtual machine should now show up in the left box, as seen in the example in Figure 2.8.1f:

Figure 2.8.1f: The New Virtual Machine

Before starting your virtual machine, you will want to configure it to use your installation media. Click the Storage hyperlink in the right frame to access the storage screen seen in Figure 2.8.1g.

1.1.1.1 2.8.1 Creating a Virtual Machine Figure 2.8.1g: The Storage Settings of the Virtual Machine

Double-click the word Empty, which represents your DVD reader. If you wish to access the PC-BSD installer from your DVD reader, double-check that the Slot is pointing to the correct location (e.g. IDE Secondary Master) and use the drop down menu to change it if the location is incorrect. Click the CD/DVD Device drop down menu to change it from empty to the Host Drive value.

If you prefer to use an ISO that is stored on your hard disk, click the folder icon to access the Virtual Media Manager screen seen in Figure 2.8.1h.

Click the Add icon to navigate to the installation ISO you wish to use. Once you press OK, it will show as the CD/DVD device. Click OK to save your changes.

Note: the selected ISO/DVD can be 32-bit, even if you're using VirtualBox on a 64-bit system.

Depending upon the extensions available in your CPU, you may or may not be able to run a 64-bit ISO on a 64-bit system. If you receive the error "your CPU does not support long mode" when you try to boot a 64-bit ISO, your CPU either does not have the required extension or AMD-V/VT-x is disabled in the system BIOS.

1.1.1.2 2.8.1 Creating a Virtual Machine Figure 2.8.1h: Add an Installation ISO to Boot the Virtual Machine From

You're now ready to install PC-BSD into your virtual machine. Simply highlight the virtual machine and click on the green Start icon. A window will open indicating that the virtual machine is starting. If you have a DVD inserted, you should hear it spin and it should start to boot into the installation program. If it doesn't or if you're using an ISO stored on the hard disk, press F12 to select the boot device when you see the message to do so, then press "c" to boot from CD-ROM. You can then proceed through the installation as described in Section 3.

Note: The virtual machine will "capture" your mouse pointer. Use your right Ctrl button if you wish to leave the virtual machine and use your mouse to interact with other applications on your computer. To go back to the virtual machine, simply click anywhere inside the virtual machine and VirtualBox will re-capture your mouse pointer.