VirtualBox from Sun, basically as awesome as Virtual PC but not only free but open-source as well

I have already reviewed Microsoft's Virtual PC product but I have run across another Virtual Machine product that I can't say I like better, but I love just as well. Both products are great in their own way, but it since Virtual PC only runs on Windows and seems to mainly support only Windows guest OSes, it's nice to have Virtual Box that both runs on Linux/UNIX and completely supports them as guest OSes allowing for a nice and easy GUI install that on Virtual PC can be a nightmare and resulting in editing a bunch of config files.

Virtual Box is basically configured the exact same way as Virtual PC except some minor differences. For example, even though it mounts CD/DVD and floppy images, it has a different interface and way of doing it.

I will not go through the install of VirtualBox for Linux/UNIX, not because I feel it's way too simple or that it doesn't deserve it, but it's completely different depending on what Linux/UNIX distribution you install it on. Though, how to install a guest OS will stay the same as the Windows information, it's just how you install the program to begin with on your system.

BTW, Open-Source means that you can download the source-code or original code of the program and edit it to your hearts desire and can even redistribute the modified version, as long as you provide the original source code, even if it's a link. There are some features of VirtualBox that are awesome yet not open-source, so the source code will not have those features. This link explains what I mean.

A quick getting started guide follows:

1. Download the program from the "Downloads" section of VirtualBox.org and get either the x86 (32-bit machine) or AMD64 (only for AMD 64-bit processors) version. Most likely you will need the x86 version, because even if you have an AMD 64-bit processor, your machine probably is running a 32-bit or x86 OS. You will have to go to your System Properties in your Control Panel to find out which one.

2. Run the installer

• 
  
• Click Next
• Read and accept the license agreement
• You can just click Next again although if you want to remove a feature you can in this window.
• Click Install
• When a software installation window comes up warning you about not passing the Windows Logo test, say Continue Anyway.
• Do Continue Anyway again.
• Click Finish

3. Start VirtualBox

1. If you are using Windows XP or Vista (non-classic Start Menu), it is Start -> All Programs -> Sun xVM VirtualBox -> VirtualBox
2. If you are using another version of Windows or the classic Start Menu, it's Start -> Programs -> Sun xVM VirtualBox -> VirtualBox

4. To Register or Not To Register, is the question here. You decide, if you want to, do it, if not, hit cancel.

5. Create a new virtual machine

• Click New, the button right before Settings.
• In the Wizard, click Next.
• In the Name box, give your machine a name, most name it what guest OS they wish to install.
• In the OS type drop-down select the OS that you are installing, yet if it's not on the list, choose Other/Unknown.
• Click Next
• Choose what amount of RAM you wish to use, remember don't go insanse because you will be taking that chuck away from your host OS, and if you run multiple guest OSes, they all get their share. So way too much could cripple your host OS.
• In the Virtual Hard Disk section, click New.
  
• In the Welcome to the Create New Virtual Disk Wizard, choose Next.
• Choose either if you want a Dynamically-expanding image, or one that at first is an empty file and only grows when you add data, stopping at the limit you give it, or choose Fixed-Size image, where the file is always the size you give it, even if you are not using the complete disk on the guest OS.
• Click Next.
• You can either Leave Image name alone, or you can browse for another location to put the Virtual Hard Disk in case you want to put it in another folder or another drive. If you choose to put it in another place besides default, click the Browse Button that's right next to the name, choose a path, type in a name to save the file, then Save.
• Then click Next.
• Then choose Finish.
• Then click Next.
• Then click Finish again.
• Now you will be back in VirtualBox and your machine will be selected along with a whole bunch of options that you can now change on the new virtual system(s).
• If you click Network on the right, you will be able to change what networking scheme you want. You can normally leave the adapter type alone, but the Attached To is the most important. NAT means that it uses Network Address Translation and allows for the guest OS to get on the Internet but does not allow for running servers or anything on the guest OS. Host Interface will install a new Virtual Networking Card on your machine in your Host OSes networking connections, to then have it access the Internet/Local Network, you will have to bridge your real card with the virtual card if you want the guest OSes to see the LAN or Internet besides just the host OS, which will be covered in a later guide. Internal Network will also make a Virtual Networking Card on your machine but it's only Internal meaning between guest OSes and between guest OSes and the host, no external access the LAN or Internet. To create a Virtual Networking Card for the second and third option, under the Host Interfaces click the + or add button, name it what ever you want, then click OK. You will get another failed Windows Logo test, but click Continue Anyway. When the Network is setup just the way you want it click OK.
• To start the install of a new OS, you will need to either mount a CD/DVD image, use a physical CD/DVD, mount a floppy, or use a physical floppy. To use either CD options, click CD/DVD-ROM, to do floppy, click Floppy. Click the checkbox that says "Mount CD/DVD Drive" or "Mount Floppy Drive" Select Host CD/DVD Drive or Host Floppy Drive and select the letter of the drive you want. If you have an image, Select Image File and the Browse button the Virtual Disk Manager wizard will appear. Click Add, browse for the image, click open, then select it in the list then click Select. Then click OK.
• Then after exiting all Wizards, just select the machine you want and then click the Start button (the one in Sun xVM VirtualBox not the Windows Start Menu Button).

6. You machine will boot up to the CD/DVD or Floppy hopefully and you just go and install the OS as if you were installing it at a real physical machine.