Installing Ubuntu 9.10 on Virtual Box with Windows XP

First, you need to install the Virtual Box program. Download the .EXE from VirtualBox.org and follow the on-screen instructions to install. Simple. Now, open the program and click New. This will help you create a new ‘virtual machine’. Enter a name and choose the type of the “guest” operating system: Windows, Linux, Solaris, BSD, IBM OS/2, or Other. (An easy choice for Linux is Ubuntu 9.10, which I highly recommend. See this post for downloading instructions.) Next, I choose 640MB RAM because my computer has 2.5GB installed. For Ubuntu, you will be safe with 384MB but you might want to choose 512MB instead, Next. Choose ‘Create a New Hard disk’, Next. You want ‘Dynamically expanding storage’, Next. Define a location. 8.00GB should be large enough for the hard drive, Next. Finish

You will see the name of your new Virtual Machine on the left-hand list. Select it and click ‘Settings’. CD/DVD-ROM choose ‘Mount CD/DVD Drive’ and ‘ISO Image File’. Browse to where you saved the Ubunutu.iso, OK. Click ‘Start’ from the main menu. This will bring you to the Ubuntu installer.