Solved Cannot install VirtualBox

[Goatmilk]

Hey everybody,

it's been a while. Big health scare, malfunctioning laptop, no mind for problems. I did stuck to Linux, though, but all I really mastered in all that time are LibreWolf, Firefox and Calibre. Well, better than nothing, but I guess I still rate as a bloody newbie.

Now with a brand new laptop at my hands (and 16 gig of RAM) I tried to finally install VirtualBox. Found it in MX Package Installer and clicked to install.

Guess it's called 'too dumb to press a button'...

Max spit out the following:

Hit:1 http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security InRelease
Hit:2 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates InRelease
Hit:3 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm InRelease
Hit:4 http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/mxlinux/packages/mx/repo bookworm InRelease
Hit:5 https://repo.librewolf.net librewolf InRelease
Ign:6 https://repo.vivaldi.com/stable/deb stable InRelease
Hit:7 https://repo.vivaldi.com/stable/deb stable Release
Reading package lists...
Reading package lists...
Building dependency tree...
Reading state information...
The following additional packages will be installed:
  libgsoap-2.8.124 liblzf1 libqt6help6 libqt6statemachine6 libtpms0
  libvncserver1 virtualbox-dkms virtualbox-qt
Suggested packages:
  vde2
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  libgsoap-2.8.124 liblzf1 libqt6help6 libqt6statemachine6 libtpms0
  libvncserver1 virtualbox virtualbox-dkms virtualbox-ext-pack
  virtualbox-guest-additions-iso virtualbox-qt
0 upgraded, 11 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 95.6 MB of archives.
After this operation, 257 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Get:1 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm/main amd64 libgsoap-2.8.124 amd64 2.8.124-2 [285 kB]
Get:2 http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/mxlinux/packages/mx/repo bookworm/ahs amd64 virtualbox-dkms amd64 7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1 [761 kB]
Get:3 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm/main amd64 liblzf1 amd64 3.6-3 [10.2 kB]
Get:4 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm/main amd64 libtpms0 amd64 0.9.2-3.1+deb12u1 [319 kB]
Get:5 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm/main amd64 libvncserver1 amd64 0.9.14+dfsg-1 [242 kB]
Get:6 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm/main amd64 libqt6help6 amd64 6.4.2~rc1-2 [174 kB]
Get:7 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm/main amd64 libqt6statemachine6 amd64 6.4.2-2 [117 kB]
Get:8 http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/mxlinux/packages/mx/repo bookworm/ahs amd64 virtualbox-qt amd64 7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1 [25.5 MB]
Get:9 http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/mxlinux/packages/mx/repo bookworm/ahs amd64 virtualbox-guest-additions-iso all 7.1.12-1~mx23+1 [46.1 MB]
Get:10 http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/mxlinux/packages/mx/repo bookworm/ahs amd64 virtualbox amd64 7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1 [22.0 MB]
Get:11 http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/mxlinux/packages/mx/repo bookworm/ahs amd64 virtualbox-ext-pack all 7.1.12-1~mx23+1 [12.5 kB]
Preconfiguring packages ...
Fetched 95.6 MB in 14s (6,808 kB/s)
Selecting previously unselected package virtualbox-dkms.
(Reading database ... 362161 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../00-virtualbox-dkms_7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1_amd64.deb ...
/usr/sbin/dkms.mx status -m vboxdrv
/usr/sbin/dkms.mx status -m vboxnetflt
/usr/sbin/dkms.mx status -m vboxnetadp
Unpacking virtualbox-dkms (7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package libgsoap-2.8.124:amd64.
Preparing to unpack .../01-libgsoap-2.8.124_2.8.124-2_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libgsoap-2.8.124:amd64 (2.8.124-2) ...
Selecting previously unselected package liblzf1:amd64.
Preparing to unpack .../02-liblzf1_3.6-3_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking liblzf1:amd64 (3.6-3) ...
Selecting previously unselected package libtpms0:amd64.
Preparing to unpack .../03-libtpms0_0.9.2-3.1+deb12u1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libtpms0:amd64 (0.9.2-3.1+deb12u1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package libvncserver1:amd64.
Preparing to unpack .../04-libvncserver1_0.9.14+dfsg-1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libvncserver1:amd64 (0.9.14+dfsg-1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package libqt6help6:amd64.
Preparing to unpack .../05-libqt6help6_6.4.2~rc1-2_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libqt6help6:amd64 (6.4.2~rc1-2) ...
Selecting previously unselected package libqt6statemachine6:amd64.
Preparing to unpack .../06-libqt6statemachine6_6.4.2-2_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libqt6statemachine6:amd64 (6.4.2-2) ...
Selecting previously unselected package virtualbox-qt.
Preparing to unpack .../07-virtualbox-qt_7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking virtualbox-qt (7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package virtualbox-guest-additions-iso.
Preparing to unpack .../08-virtualbox-guest-additions-iso_7.1.12-1~mx23+1_all.deb ...
Unpacking virtualbox-guest-additions-iso (7.1.12-1~mx23+1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package virtualbox.
Preparing to unpack .../09-virtualbox_7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking virtualbox (7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package virtualbox-ext-pack.
Preparing to unpack .../10-virtualbox-ext-pack_7.1.12-1~mx23+1_all.deb ...
User did not accept the license.
dpkg: error processing archive /tmp/apt-dpkg-install-U6dQoV/10-virtualbox-ext-pack_7.1.12-1~mx23+1_all.deb (--unpack):
 new virtualbox-ext-pack package pre-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
 /tmp/apt-dpkg-install-U6dQoV/10-virtualbox-ext-pack_7.1.12-1~mx23+1_all.deb
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)
gpasswd: group 'vboxusers' does not exist in /etc/group

According to MX Package Installer, I didn't install anything, VirtualBox was still unchecked.

Sorry for the long code. I have a sneaking feeling that only the last four lines are important, but I'm not sure.


Afraid I broke something, I ran autoclean and autoremove:

$ sudo apt autoremove && sudo apt autoclean
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
10 not fully installed or removed.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Setting up libgsoap-2.8.124:amd64 (2.8.124-2) ...
Setting up virtualbox-guest-additions-iso (7.1.12-1~mx23+1) ...
Setting up libqt6help6:amd64 (6.4.2~rc1-2) ...
Setting up libvncserver1:amd64 (0.9.14+dfsg-1) ...
Setting up liblzf1:amd64 (3.6-3) ...
Setting up libqt6statemachine6:amd64 (6.4.2-2) ...
Setting up libtpms0:amd64 (0.9.2-3.1+deb12u1) ...
Setting up virtualbox-dkms (7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1) ...
Loading new virtualbox-7.1.12 DKMS files...
/usr/sbin/dkms.mx add -m virtualbox -v 7.1.12
Building for 6.1.0-40-amd64
/usr/sbin/dkms.mx status -m virtualbox -v 7.1.12 -k 6.1.0-40-amd64
Building initial module for 6.1.0-40-amd64
/usr/sbin/dkms.mx build -m virtualbox -v 7.1.12 -k 6.1.0-40-amd64 -k 6.1.0-40-amd64 -k 6.1.0-35-amd64 -a x86_64
Done.
/usr/sbin/dkms.mx status -m virtualbox -v 7.1.12 -k 6.1.0-40-amd64
/usr/sbin/dkms.mx install -m virtualbox -v 7.1.12 -k 6.1.0-40-amd64 -k 6.1.0-40-amd64 -k 6.1.0-35-amd64 -a x86_64

vboxdrv.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/6.1.0-40-amd64/updates/dkms/

vboxnetadp.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/6.1.0-40-amd64/updates/dkms/

vboxnetflt.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/6.1.0-40-amd64/updates/dkms/
depmod...
Module virtualbox/7.1.12 already installed on kernel 6.1.0-40-amd64 (x86_64), skip. You may override by specifying --force.

vboxdrv.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/6.1.0-35-amd64/updates/dkms/

vboxnetadp.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/6.1.0-35-amd64/updates/dkms/

vboxnetflt.ko:
Running module version sanity check.
 - Original module
   - No original module exists within this kernel
 - Installation
   - Installing to /lib/modules/6.1.0-35-amd64/updates/dkms/
depmod...
Setting up virtualbox-qt (7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1) ...
Setting up virtualbox (7.1.12-dfsg-2~mx23+1) ...
Processing triggers for mailcap (3.70+nmu1) ...
Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils (0.26-1) ...
Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme (0.17-2) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.36-9+deb12u13) ...
Processing triggers for man-db (2.11.2-2) ...
Processing triggers for shared-mime-info (2.2-1) ...
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done

Rinse and repeat, same result.

What went wrong?

Thanks a lot,

 

[GatorsFan]

E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1) gpasswd: group 'vboxusers' does not exist in /etc/group

So lets add it - from the terminal

sudo groupadd vboxusers

Now add the user

sudo usermod -aG vboxusers USERNAME

where USERNAME is your user name

reboot and try to reinstall

 

[gvisoc]

@Goatmilk please post here if the above solution works.

A quick duck duck go shows that the latest version of MX Linux supports secure boot, so while the system may work with it enabled, it may get in the way with the Virtual Box modules. I mean: did you disable Secure Boot? Otherwise, there may be a bit of troubleshooting left to do.

 

[bob466]

The best way to install Virtualbox is from here...https://www.virtualbox.org and don't forget the Extension Pack.

To download the correct version run this command...

inxi -Szxx

The command works for Ubuntu based Distros but not sure about MX Linux.

 

[IlyasLinux]

@Goatmilk please post here if the above solution works.

A quick duck duck go shows that the latest version of MX Linux supports secure boot, so while the system may work with it enabled, it may get in the way with the Virtual Box modules. I mean: did you disable Secure Boot? Otherwise, there may be a bit of troubleshooting left to do.

Out to topic : But I am happy to see someone that uses "a quick duckduckgo" instead of the Google!

 

[Goatmilk]

I tried GatorsFan's suggestion and it worked, thanks a lot!

Now I'm pondering what to try first - it's on the laptop, as my 'big' computer is in the repair shop to be upgraded (if that's even possible, the computer repair man couldn't stop laughing...)

Maybe Windows XP, but I couldn't find the old license number. Jeez, must be 150 years since I last used it. And I think that was already with the online registration, right? I don't want any Windows to go online anymore. Just want to run some old programs.

Or maybe I try Puppy Linux - from what I've read, it's a bit like Hiren's Boot CD for Linux, runs from an USB stick, might come in handy one day. Only I've never used it before, maybe not the best way to try out a software that I've never used before, either...

Win 98SE? God, I'm quite sure I have NO idea where that license key is.

Guess I'll go and read a how-to first...

 

[Goatmilk]

@Goatmilk please post here if the above solution works.

A quick duck duck go shows that the latest version of MX Linux supports secure boot, so while the system may work with it enabled, it may get in the way with the Virtual Box modules. I mean: did you disable Secure Boot? Otherwise, there may be a bit of troubleshooting left to do.

I must admit I have no idea. I do know I changed the boot option to "MX 23.6 Libretto, with Linux 6.1.0-40amd64 (systemd)" because that was the only way I got Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 to work.

But with GatorsFan's advice, I could install VirtualBox.

 

[Goatmilk]

Good news - I've just installed my first virtual machine: Win XP x86. As far as I can see, it all works fine, ...

... except ... (of course, there had to be an 'except'...)

Except that I cannot seem to give the virtual machine more video memory. I've read how it should be done, but the options are all greyed out, regardless whether I choose 'basic' or 'expert' mode. Right now, the video memory sits at 16 MB, which is, of course, utterly lousy.

Can it be the little laptop doesn't have enough video power? Seems it doesn't even have a video card.
Or is anything else wrong? I gave the virtual machine 4 gig of RAM, which should be plenty. Or so I thought

I read on various websites that the newer VirtualBox versions don't really work that well with older Windows guests, but since got the VB from MX Package Installer, there wasn't much choice about it.

If it's the laptop, it's a Fujitso LifeBook A359 with 16 gig of Ram.

No idea if it helps any, but these are the specs as far as Linux is concerned:

Again, sorry for the long code, and thanks for your patience,

$ inxi -F
System:
  Host: Max Kernel: 6.1.0-40-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 Desktop: KDE Plasma
    v: 5.27.5 Distro: MX-23.6.1_KDE_x64 Libretto May 18  2025
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: FUJITSU CLIENT product: LIFEBOOK A359 v: N/A
    serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: FUJITSU model: FJNBB67 v: 784924-01R0300062
    serial: <superuser required> UEFI: FUJITSU // Insyde v: Version 1.11
    date: 12/13/2024
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT1 charge: 42.5 Wh (91.8%) condition: 46.3/48.6 Wh (95.3%)
CPU:
  Info: dual core model: Intel Core i3-8130U bits: 64 type: MT MCP cache:
    L2: 512 KiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 600 min/max: 400/3400 cores: 1: 800 2: 400 3: 400 4: 800
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel UHD Graphics 620 driver: i915 v: kernel
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 with: Xwayland v: 22.1.9 driver: X:
    loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915 resolution:
    1: 1680x1050~60Hz 2: 1680x1050~60Hz
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6 Mesa 25.0.7-2~mx23ahs renderer: Mesa Intel UHD
    Graphics 620 (KBL GT2)
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio driver: snd_hda_intel
  API: ALSA v: k6.1.0-40-amd64 status: kernel-api
  Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.0.0 status: active
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Wireless 7265 driver: iwlwifi
  IF: wlan0 state: up mac: 0c:dd:24:ef:70:95
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    driver: r8169
  IF: eth0 state: down mac: 68:84:7e:5f:d7:e7
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Intel Bluetooth wireless interface type: USB driver: btusb
  Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 1 state: down
    bt-service: enabled,running rfk-block: hardware: no software: yes
    address: 0C:DD:24:EF:70:99
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 1.36 TiB used: 97.24 GiB (7.0%)
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Samsung model: SSD 850 EVO 500GB size: 465.76 GiB
  ID-2: /dev/sdb type: USB vendor: Western Digital model: WD10SMZW-11Y0TS0
    size: 931.48 GiB
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 78.19 GiB used: 11.53 GiB (14.8%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
  ID-2: /boot/efi size: 511 MiB used: 288 KiB (0.1%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/sda1
  ID-3: /home size: 370.27 GiB used: 85.7 GiB (23.1%) fs: ext4
    dev: /dev/sda4
Swap:
  ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 8 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) dev: /dev/sda3
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 49.0 C pch: 37.5 C mobo: N/A
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Info:
  Processes: 205 Uptime: 9h 16m Memory: 15.47 GiB used: 2.58 GiB (16.6%)
  Shell: Bash inxi: 3.3.26
owl@Max:~
$