What do I do now after downloading the iso?
 

I've downloaded the iso, it's sitting in my downloads folder on windows 8.1.
What should I do next?
My goal is to run it in virtual box.

Thanks in advance

I thought you would be already well on you're way to using Linux. Anyhow, you would need to download and install Virtualbox - most mainstream Linux distributions have packages for it. Have a look in you're package manager for it and install it from there.

You then need to create a Virtual Machine with Virtualbox. Also, remember that you need to make sure when allocating memory (RAM) that there's still enough for your real system (Host system).

Here's some more information about it below:

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Documentation
https://blog.storagecraft.com/the-de...ne-on-windows/

which iso did you download? You will need to familiarise yourself with the installation of that distribution.

Zorin.

I gave up, but keen to give it another shot.
I'm on Windows and have downloaded virtual box to windows 8.1, and the Zorin iso is sitting in my downloads


I have 4GB ram at the moment how much ram do you recommend for the virtual machine (for average use)?

Thanks and nice to hear from you again.

Good to hear!

Well, there's no general answer per say - it depends on the system's requirements that you wish to install into your VM. However, I would suggest if at all possible, you should upgrade your RAM. As, I don't think that's going to be enough in a lot of cases. From Zorin's system requirements you need at least 1GB of RAM, which means if you allocated that, you would have 3GB for your real/host system to play with.

Your very welcome and good to hear from you too! Best of luck with it!

Do I need to make a bootable usb if iso is already sitting in windows downloads for a VM?

Not if you just what to load it up in a VM. No you don't. Virtualbox will ask you when you start your VM (after creating it), if you want it to look at whatever optical drives you have eg. DVD drive (if you have one) or an ISO image. Pick the latter and tell it where your ISO is on your hard drive/where-ever you have the ISO stored. Then you can install Zorin OS into your VM.

Don't be scared, your real system should be safe from whatever happens in your VM.

Try the link below with a detailed explanation of booting an iso in VirtualBox to install another OS.

http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-bo...in-virtualbox/

Since you're using a Windows host, you would download Virtualbox and install it. Then you would create a virtual machine. When you come to the storage CD/DVD drive part, click the little disk and choose virtual device. Then, browse to the iso file and select it. Finish setting up the virtual machine and start it. It should boot off the Linux installation iso.

Might help. Might not.

https://www.linux.com/learn/5-virtua...linux-and-more


Just sub the word zorin for arch and follow the yellow brick road.

https://www.howtoforge.com/tutorial/...on-virtualbox/

This 32bt windows10 upgraded from Vista machine has 4GB and I usually allocate 2GB for a VM so as to not be so sluggish, but you will need to experiment to see what works best for you.

I managed to get Zorin working on VB. When the whole screen in VB goes black after using it for a while what does the mean (black screen)? Should I power off the VB and start afresh?

I downloaded some programs, how do I get a file to start the install of the program I just downloaded?
I go to terminal and type what exactly? Is terminal the only option?
Do I need to update anything for Zorin OS?

probably that is a screen saver (inside the VM). You need to press any key - as in any usual cases.

I tried that prior to your post and after but still same black screen, I see the hard disk icon with activity so maybe I need to wait it out, been a while already and didn't really do anything to warrant excess stress in the virtual drives.