I tried to start a VirtualBox machine that was working perfectly fine, but I can’t seem to start it anymore: there’s a dialog (which cannot be closed) saying “Starting virtual machine…” but nothing else happens. I have installed these packages (and added my user to the VirtualBox group): yay -S li…

I always needed to use the LTS kernel to get them working. Had the exact same symptoms otherwise. I never got to a full root cause as I was just fine being on LTS. Edit: Just looked closer - use DKMS for the host modules. i.e. install virtualbox-host-dkms 7.0.4-1

Hi, thanks for the reply. Indeed going LTS worked! What you suggest, virtualbox-host-dkms is indeed for the LTS kernel. Since I was using the NON LTS one, by following https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/VirtualBox , I installed the corresponding one virtualbox-host-modules-arch.

Good deal. I’m happy to be corrected as I’m not an expert on it but I would always use dkms which will always ensure your modules are synced with the kernel version.

Just to clarify if there is still any confusion: virtualbox-host-dkms is meant for all currently available kernels. But virtualbox-host-modules-arch is meant for linux only.

So I could use the former even with “linux” kernel? The wiki says “for any other kernel”, which seems to imply that it cannot be used with “linux”.

[image] lorebett: So I could use the former even with “linux” kernel? Yes, virtualbox-host-dkms will work with any and all kernels, including linux. virtualbox-host-modules-arch has pre-built modules for the linux kernel, while virtualbox-host-dkms builds the modules for each kernel, includi…

Then I’d say the wiki should be updated :wink:

Using virtualbox-host-dkms instead of virtualbox-host-modules-arch means install kernel headers and dkms (if not already installed) slower installation because of building from source code

I my experience - the best method to avoid issues with VirtualBox VMs over time is install linux-headers for your kernel use virtualbox-host-dkms no extension pack The time required to rebuild the host modules on kernel change is minimal. Benefits Better stabililty for your virtual machines. T…

Hi folks, Same problem here: Virtualbox is working when on LTS kernel, but not on the latest (6.1.6 at writing). Can’t start any VM (Linux or Windows). I have guest-utils and host-dkms installed, so are linux-headers.

Cannot start VirtualBox machines

General system Kernel, boot, graphics & hardware

jake99 January 21, 2023, 9:06pm 14

Hey, no not just for nvidia graphics. That’s for all the cases where this intel’s flow control enforcement can trigger a kernel trap, anyway