Re: [ALUG] Need new laptop AND seek recovery of files from VirtualBox
On 28/05/17 12:00 Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Ted Harding <ted.harding@wlandres.net> wrote:
The Linux filesystems are in VirtualBox ".vdi" files on the Windows XP system, which I was able to locate after booting with the Slackware CD. I've been looking around extensively for info about how to set about this. This does not seem to be straightfoward unless the VDI file is transerred (somehpow ... ) to another machine on which VirtualBox is installed.
I think that's the only practical way, copy the .vdi files to a system which has VirtualBox installed and then get that system to boot the virtual linux.
-- Chris Green
I've done similar in the past. Get the new machine sorted first, then either: boot up a live CD on the victim and export the local storage to the new machine (probably using the nice easy GUI 'sharing' stuff in Gnome these days); or remove the physical disk(s) and attach to the new machine via a USB caddy / directly into a disk slot if you have one spare, this may be easier than trying to get sharing guff to work. Either way, you can copy off the whole VirtualBox VMs folder from the victim's storage, then work on a nice new/fast/not-broken machine to get them going again. I use a similar approach to properly scan machines for malware, on the basis that one should never try and scan from within the possibly compromised OS. I export the raw disks using a live CD to another machine and scan from there. Cheers, Phil.
On Sun, 2017-05-28 at 17:17 +0100, Phil Ashby wrote:
On 28/05/17 12:00 Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:
Ted Harding <ted.harding@wlandres.net> wrote:
The Linux filesystems are in VirtualBox ".vdi" files on the Windows XP system, which I was able to locate after booting with the Slackware CD. I've been looking around extensively for info about how to set about this. This does not seem to be straightfoward unless the VDI file is transerred (somehpow ... ) to another machine on which VirtualBox is installed.
I think that's the only practical way, copy the .vdi files to a system which has VirtualBox installed and then get that system to boot the virtual linux.
-- Chris Green
I've done similar in the past. Get the new machine sorted first, then either: boot up a live CD on the victim and export the local storage to the new machine (probably using the nice easy GUI 'sharing' stuff in Gnome these days); or remove the physical disk(s) and attach to the new machine via a USB caddy / directly into a disk slot if you have one spare, this may be easier than trying to get sharing guff to work.
Either way, you can copy off the whole VirtualBox VMs folder from the victim's storage, then work on a nice new/fast/not-broken machine to get them going again.
I use a similar approach to properly scan machines for malware, on the basis that one should never try and scan from within the possibly compromised OS. I export the raw disks using a live CD to another machine and scan from there.
Cheers, Phil
Thanks to all who replied to my original post. Good advice (which I had partially sussed out for myself). I am now in the situation where I can copy the VDI files -- have already done so to a seperate server (not my own machine), which has VirtualBox installed and from which, therefore, I should be able to copy across the files I really want from the booted virtual machines.. What I now need is a good replacement laptop. Does anyone have one which they would be prepared to sell (for reasonable price) which has Linux (preferably Debian, or Ubuntu), plenty of disk space and RAM, and on which, if need be, VirtualBox could be installed. Failing that, can anyone suggest a good place to buy a good Linux laptop? I'm about halfway between King's Lynn and Cambridge, so on the King's Lynn/Downham Market/Littleport/Ely/Cambridge axis. I'd prefer tp avoid having to go into Norwich -- or even Cambridge! [access to shops not easy]. With thanks, and all best wishes, Ted.
Failing that, can anyone suggest a good place to buy a good Linux laptop? I'm about halfway between King's Lynn and Cambridge, so on the King's Lynn/Downham Market/Littleport/Ely/Cambridge axis. I'd prefer tp avoid having to go into Norwich -- or even Cambridge! [access to shops not easy].
What's the budget and how big do you want? Lenovo Thinkpad T series (14") and X series (12") are excellent for Linux and you can buy refurbished ones at very reasonable prices from such as Tier1 and Morgans. -- Chris Green
participants (3)
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Chris Green -
Phil Ashby -
Ted Harding