VirtualBox VERR_VM_DRIVER_NOT_INSTALLED (rc=-1908) Error

By Randy Jensen | Mar 16, 2009

VirtualBox ErrorI recently installed the updated kernel in Ubuntu 8.10. Everything seemed to go fine until I tried to open my Windows XP Virtual Machine inside of VirtualBox. I initially got an error that said ‘Failed to open a session for the virtual machine Windows XP’. This error was immediately followed by another error dialogue box with the error:

VERR_VM_DRIVER_NOT_INSTALLED (rc=-1908)

There’s two ways to fix this. I would try the first method first, and the second only it that didn’t work.

Method 1 – Simple Command

Simply open a terminal window and type ‘sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup‘. This will take a little bit of time, but once it’s done, you should be able to open your virtual machines like normal. If for some reason this doesn’t work, try the second method below.

Method 2 – Uninstall/Reinstall

Go to ‘System’ –> ‘Administration’ –> ‘Synaptic Package Manager’ and search for ‘virtualbox’. Uninstall whatever is installed. Once it’s removed, reinstall it.

You’ll need to remember what version you installed. I prefer the one from Sun Microsystems which you can get here. You can of course, just reinstall the exact packages you just uninstalled.


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  • Giri
    Your First idea really worked .. After so many days i found a simple solution.ThankYou very much.. u r really great.
  • rrallvv
    This is the second time I get this error in one day, after I removed and reinstalled virtualbox-ose, I could run a couple of times my guest systems but the error rose again.
  • graphics card. slowwww
  • Randy! I did it! I am writing this message from my brand new install of Firefox that was included with my new install of Intrepid! I upgraded to a 2gb ram kit, got a new hard drive, and a new DVD burner. Worked like a charm. I already have Mplayer installed (for obvious reasons...), sound codecs for my amplified speakers, support for my laser mouse, and freakin drivers for my Nvidia card! I LOVE the new distro. It works out of the box in so many ways the previous versions didn't. I am super excited. I think the coolest thing so far (besides compiz) is that I can get 1200 resolution on my dinky little monitor. Lol, freakin sweet. However, next on the list is a nice new LCD. Thanks for hanging in there with me bro! Hope you are ready for some twitter action about this new linux. This is such a welcome break from Vista. -Josh
  • Congrats! It wasn't looking good for a second there with your last update :)

    Can't wait to see your tweets! Make sure to keep us up to date with what you like/dislike, what programs you're using, and be sure to yell at me if you have any issues...they always make good blog posts ;)
  • Still working on my Ubuntu install. It has been problem after problem - mostly because my box is so old. I did some clean-up on the stuff inside - screws, ribbons, fans, etc... Now I am waiting for my memory upgrade and hard drive to come in the mail. I noticed that my hard drive is missing a pin, and that the memory that I recently bought is not compatible with my chipset. Freakin awesome. SO, more memory stat and a new drive. Also bought a new DVD drive, so at least I can burn .iso's if need be. That should take care of everything. I can't wait to try some of the Windows cross-over filemanager apps they have out now. Photoshop+linux here I come.
  • Dang bro, sounds like you just need a new machine :) Also, Crossover it's pretty awesome especially with Photoshop. Keep me posted.
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