VirtualBox Shared Folders - Linux Guest

I keep forgetting how to add a shared folders in my Kubuntu guest machine, so I'm posting it here to help remind me.

Select the folder to share on the host.

VirtualBox -> Settings -> Shared Folders -> Add New...

Create a place for the folder on the guest.

cd /home/username/Desktop/

mkdir ShareName

note: username is your user name, ShareName is some meaningful folder name

It is very important to select a folder that has nothing in it. If you do select an existing folder all the contents will be copied into the host folder. This is a big problem if you point the folder to /home/user.

And one final step. If you want to add the folder perminantly and mount it each time on startup, add the following line to the end of the /etc/fstab file.

ShareName /home/username/Desktop/ShareName vboxsf default 0 0

And that is it. Now anything you put in that particular folder you will see in both the guest and the host OS.

Data Recovery from Virus

I just fixed a laptop that wouldn't even load windows. If you know what you are doing a Linux LiveCD can be a saving grace. I was able to back up all the data to an external hard drive and reformat and reinstall Windows. With the Kubuntu LiveCD this took little effort.

There are some limitations to using a LiveCD. But if your computer has a CD-ROM drive, you are in buisiness!

Here is a link to the Kubuntu LiveCD download site. Just choose a mirror and watch your bar crawl.

http://www.kubuntu.org/getkubuntu/download

Happy repairs!

If you have any questions on using Unix or Linux, send me an email.

Anime Codec Packs

I've been doing some research and there are a lot of codec packs out there. Some include unnecessary things. There are two codec packs that I feel comfortable recommending.

Cole2k - I've been using this for some time. It gives you the options to pick and choose everything upon install.

CCCP - Combined Community Codec Pack is a very complete pack that you can use to watch all kinds of media.

Packs to avoid:
K-Lite - has a bunch of extra unneeded things. Also, I wouldn't trust anything that has any affiliation with Kazaa. (Eeek Virus!)

If you are on a linux system and don't have Windows Media Player, then you can download VLC Media Player. It is included in more popular linux distros like Ubuntu. This player has all the codecs and other playback devices you'll need for anime built in.




Step-by-step summary:

• Download cole2k advanced from cole2k.net
• Run the install
• Choose Expert
• Agree to the EULA
• Uncheck the boxes for search-bars and other crap
• Under source splitters and filters, under Haalia Media Splitter, check AVI Support
• Under Extra's, uncheck shell context menu (and GSpot Codec info tool if you want.)
  

Using A Bit Torrent Client

Here is a fairly short video tutorial I made on using a Bit Torrent Client.



Here are the steps in the video:

• Go to wikipedia and choose a client. (I chose Vuze)
• Download and install the client
• Uncheck the box to ensure the search bar is not installed!
  
• Change the UI (Tools -> Interface -> Start -> UI Chooser)
  
• Setup download speeds and settings
• Check the TCP/UDP listen port (and forwarding)
  
• Open a .torrent file and start downloading
• Adjust download and upload speeds

I forgot to mention that you want a higher seed (uploaders) to leech (downloaders) ratio in a torrent. While this is not absolutely essential for the protocol to work, it does improve your download speeds. Note that your download speed may be limited by your internet service. Also, I have found that not limiting upload will grant you a higher download priority and can result in a faster download. However, this may cause other programs to run slowly. (Particularly internet based things on your entire network.)

READ THIS: One small thing I just found out. Apparently Vuze will install an ASK.com toolbar without the users consent. In order to remove this toolbar, do the following:

• Open the run prompt (Win+R)
  
• type "C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\"
• Close all browser windows. (Internet Explorer, FireFox, etc.)
  
• Run the "unin00.exe" file. (It could have a different name just look for an exe that has a 'u' as part of the name. Chances are it is the uninstall file)

Sorry about the annoying search bar addon. Vuze is still great in my opinion, they are just starting to do bad things though. (They will definitely get an email about this!)

Any Questions?