Kernel driver not installed

Question

I tried to use my Virtual Box and this is the error I received - (I just updated to the new Ubuntu also) and I am VERY new at this Linux OS :)

Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)

The VirtualBox Linux kernel driver (vboxdrv) is either not loaded or there is a permission problem with /dev/vboxdrv. Please reinstall the kernel module by executing

'/etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup'

as root. Users of Ubuntu, Fedora or Mandriva should install the DKMS package first. This package keeps track of Linux kernel changes and recompiles the vboxdrv kernel module if necessary.

Answer 1

Most probably all you have to do is run

sudo apt-get install dkms

(or install dkms from the software center)

and then run

sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup

and write your password.

Answer 2

Did you install Virtualbox by downloading it from some web site?

If so, I'd recommend you to install it using the ubuntu software center instead (type virtualbox and click on install and you're set).

If you have some terminal skills, type this into the console:

sudo apt-get install virtualbox-ose

If you still want to do weird stuff to you computer/OS, then install the dependencies by hand: virtualbox-ose-dkms, libgl1-mesa-glx

Answer 3

To make sure you always have the most recent stable version of Virtual Box installed it is recommended to install it by adding the repository from Oracle Virtual Box to your sources. At present this will be:

deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian natty contrib

By doing so the application will install all modules needed. For 3D support to run Unity we will also have to install the Guest Additions.

To avoid having to reinstall the Virtual Box kernel modules evry time our host kernel is updated we may install DKMS as has already been said.

Answer 4

Interesting. Virtualbox is now officially regarded as crap. Read this:

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=OTk5Mw