Subj : virtual box install on win7
To   : Ogg
From : Fzf
Date : Wed Jan 01 2025 02:56 pm

  Re: virtual box install on win7
  By: Ogg to Exodus on Mon Dec 30 2024 02:55 pm

 Og> Meanwhile.. I was able to install VB 6.0.24 as per a 
 Og> suggestion here. But it had the side effect of killing my 
 Og> internet connectivity.

VPN 'client' software generally takes over a significant portion of Windows' network stack.  So does the VirtualBox bridged adapter driver and it would have destroyed the VPN functionality in the process.  The only way you're going to be able to get internet access for the virtual machine is if the VPN client allows connection sharing to a LAN.  Most do.

Try installing VirtualBox again.  But this time, under networking, do NOT install the bridged adapter driver.  Do install the host-only adapter.  And while you're configuring the installation disable the Python support.  This will negate the need to install Python on your machine.  If you don't already know you need the Python extensions and why you need them, you don't need them.

VirtualBox will create an artificial network card that is used exclusively for network communications between the host OS and virtual machines.  This is the adapter you need to have the VPN client share internet connectivity with.  Set the sharing up before you create any virtual machines.  When you create a virtual machine, select the Host-only Adapter as the Attached To setting.  The virtual machine can only directly communicate to the host OS, but through the VPN client's sharing the virtual machine can access the internet.

VirtualBox can serve as a DHCP server for the virtual machine but I don't remember if it's enabled by default or not.  Before you create a virtual machine, open up the VirtualBox manager and select File->Host Network Manager.  You will see the DHCP checkbox there, just make sure it is enabled.
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