Unable to setup Windows guest VM

[Submaster]

Hi everyone !

I've just installed latest XigmaNAS (12.1.0.4 - Ingva (build 7509)) and trying to use it as virtualization host.
VirtualBox activated without problems, I've created VM, attached Microsoft ISO to it - and here good news ends
Whatever distro I use, installation hangs on 4-5% "Prepearing Windows files". I've tried official Windows 10 and Windows 7 and also unofficial ones - same result.
Host hardware: Ryzen 3 2200G, Gigabyte AB350N-Gaming Wifi, IOMMU and CPU virtualization enabled
Guest settings: 2 CPU, 3Gb RAM, all default accelerations, PAE/NX enabled (tried with PAE disabled - same problem)

Also, there's a problem with "Shutdown guest" - guest VM never shuts down, until host restarted, but this could be unrelated, I've seen this problem mentioned in this forum.

Hope someone could help, thanks in advance !

[alamo]

hi,
I've the same problem.My xigmanas version is XigmaNAS 12.1.0.4.7542 embedded
i can't setup any SO: after 10 sec the setup is aborted

[BottleHunter]

hi,
Use fixed size disk, not dynamic. And check "use i/o host cache" check box in the storage controller options in vbox on the vm. After that it’s possible to install Windows guest OS.

[alamo]

hi , it doesen't work . the setup start but is aborted after few minutes. i've tried with more iso, but the result is the same

[BottleHunter]

hi , it doesen't work . the setup start but is aborted after few minutes. i've tried with more iso, but the result is the same

I had the same problem. Using a fixed disk size and checkbox "Use Host I/O Cache" helped me. XigmaNAS 12.1.0.4 - Ingva (build 7542), Core i7-8700, guest OS - Win10 2019LTSC x64. See screenshots. If it doesn’t help you, maybe you have another problem.

[gomario]

OK. VirtualBox is totally broken now.
XigmaNAS 12.1.0.4.7542 - Has completely screwed-up things. One more reason to move to Bhyve.
Only small sized OS's can be emulated. Forget about Win7 and up! Even if you manage to somehow install the OS, it will regularly crash (stop working/freeze), at random times. #SoSad

[zoon01]

Maybe you all could flash 11.3 series images to get it working again.
On 12.1 vbox is not stable for me too.

[raulfg3]

Maybe you all could flash 11.3 series images to get it working again.
On 12.1 vbox is not stable for me too.

only for curiosity, do you know the reason?

[zoon01]

No, I do not know why yet.

[gomario]

Maybe you all could flash 11.3 series images to get it working again.
On 12.1 vbox is not stable for me too.

Yes! I can confirm: 11.3 works 100%
After lots and lots of trying with different settings, I finally managed to install Win7-Home Premium, on 12.1 vBox. But it is working like a snail... Has not been crashing for a few hours though. On the other hand, with a speed like in "slow-motion," it is useless. Obviously, something is very wrong

[maddes8cht]

So there is noone that is having VirtualBox running properly on 12.1 series?

if it's the VirtualBox Version, shouldn't we go back to the previous VirtualBox until this gets fixed?
I mean, who wants an "newer" version of a software when it is unusable?

[gomario]

So there is noone that is having VirtualBox running properly on 12.1 series?

if it's the VirtualBox Version, shouldn't we go back to the previous VirtualBox until this gets fixed?
I mean, who wants an "newer" version of a software when it is unusable?

XigmaNas 12.xx.xx has advantages regarding 11.xx.xx but if you want virutalbox than you'll be better off using the XigmaNas based on 11.xx.xx BSD version.

[Impulse1]

I was having all the same issues as above on 11.3, tried 3 different versions (finished with 7538), thought it might have been a RAM issue on install and tried giving the VM 8Gb. Nothing worked. But I just tried ticking that "Use Host I/O Cache" box and was able to install an OS with no issue.

So just wanted to confirm that 11.3 does work with this option selected. I'll be waiting for confirmation that VirtualBox works on 12.1 before updating.

[maddes8cht]

The "Use Host I/O Cache"-setting did the trick for me.
I've tried getting windows machines running in xigmanas vbox for ages, but didn't think that setting could have to do with it.
It doesn't work at all with this setting switched of.
Now i have it on with all my client systems, making them more reliable too.

i don't need a fixed size disk, just host I/O Cache.

I have two xigmanas systems, one beeing an 11.x system, the other current 12.x
Its working on both of them, but on the 12.x system, virtual machine startup takes aaaaages.
When it's finally running, performance seems okay - but didn't do a real test.

[Colani1200]

I found an explanation for the problem and a different fix:

viewtopic.php?f=56&t=15456

I can confirm that enabling host I/O cache also does the trick though, good find.