<SOLVED> virtualbox-dkms package missing for LM21.2 and kernel Linux 6.5.0-14-generic x86_64

[mintplaetzchen]

Using Linux Mint Mate 21.2 "victoria" with kernel Linux 6.5.0-14-generic x86_64.

Code: Select all

dpkg --list | grep linux-image
ii  linux-image-6.5.0-14-generic                  6.5.0-14.14~22.04.1                        amd64        Signed kernel image generic
ii  linux-image-generic-hwe-22.04                 6.5.0.14.14~22.04.7                        amd64        Generic Linux kernel image

After an update VirtualBox (which was working fine before) tells me:
"Please install the virtualbox-dkms package and the appropriate headers, most likely linux-headers-generic."

So I tried:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install virtualbox-dkms
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done
virtualbox-dkms is already the newest version (6.1.48-dfsg-1~ubuntu1.22.04.1).
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 65 not upgraded.

Also:

Code: Select all

udo apt-get install linux-headers-generic
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done
linux-headers-generic is already the newest version (5.15.0.91.88).
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 65 not upgraded.

When trying to start a VM nevertheless, I get:

Screenshot at 2024-01-23 18-11-28.png (30.63 KiB) Viewed 550 times

which I am not sure how to resolve.

Removing all packages related to VirtualBox and reinstalling them did not help. I was more or less following the installation instructions on
https://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/VirtualBox/Installation/
covering the OSE (Open Source Edition). So no external packet sources and no .deb package involved.

Can someone help me? Thanks a bunch, highly appreciated.

[mintplaetzchen]

For the records & if you experience similar issues:

• Completely remove any existing VirtualBox packages.

  Code: Select all

  sudo apt purge virtualbox*
  sudo autoclean
  sudo autopurge
  sudo reboot now

• Update your Linux Mint packages using

  Code: Select all

  sudo apt-get update

  or the package manager UI. Just in case...

• Obtain the Ubuntu version your Linux Mint distro is based on:

  Code: Select all

  cat /etc/upstream-release/lsb-release

• Grab a proper VirtualBox release from https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads, in case of Ubuntu 22.x "Jammy", this would be https://download.virtualbox.org/virtual ... _amd64.deb.

• Install the .deb with gdebi using the context menu.

• Add yourself and other users that should be allowed to run VirtualBox to the vboxusers group:

  Code: Select all

  sudo gpasswd -a <my_user_name> vboxusers
  sudo reboot now

  . If you don't do that, USB device enumeration most likely is not going to work.

• Create/import and start your VM. Make sure to install/upgrade Guest Additions via the Devices/Upgrade Guest Additions menu.

• Create a snapshot so you do not accidentially lose the changes.

That did the job for me.

[harry_fine]

I use the 6.5 kernel. Virtualbox stopped working once I upgraded the kernel.

Most in the know say to ONLY install virtualbox from the oracle site. That's what I've always done and it's always worked. Purged the current version. Then got the newest 7.0.14 files.

Get the extension pack and guest additions for matching versions also. The easiest place to get all 3 (the guest additions is sort of hidden on their regular page) is here: https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/7.0.14/

It will work like a charm.

[Reddog1]

The 1908 error is a vbox version/kernel mismatch error.

VBox 7.0.12 will work with kernel 6.5. Prior VBox versions only work with kernels 6.4 and below