Guest OS Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Crashing on VirtualBox 7.1.4 after Windows 11 Upgrade
After upgrading the physical host from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and updating VirtualBox from version 7.0.x to 7.1.4, the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 guest operating system may crash. This article provides a detailed explanation of the context, key concepts, and potential solutions for this issue.
Observed Issue
After upgrading the host operating system and VirtualBox, users may notice that the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 guest OS can no longer run stably, frequently crashing or freezing.
Replicating the Issue
To replicate this issue, create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox 7.1.4, using a fresh installation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9. Run the virtual machine, and observe if it crashes or freezes under normal usage.
Context and Key Concepts
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (RHEL 9) is the latest release from Red Hat Inc. It contains updated packages, improved performance, and new features designed for enterprise users.
# cat /etc/redhat-release
Red Hat Enterprise Linux release 9.0 (2022RedHatEnterpriseLinux)
VirtualBox 7.1.4
VirtualBox is a popular open-source virtualization software developed by Oracle. VirtualBox 7.1.4 is the latest version as of the time of writing. It brings new features and improvements, including better support for new operating systems.
# VBoxManage --version
7.1.4r156055
Windows 11
Released in late 2021, Windows 11 is the most recent operating system from Microsoft. It introduces a fresh design, improved performance, and enhanced security features.
Potential Causes and Solutions
Compatibility Issues
One potential cause of the crash may be compatibility issues between RHEL 9, VirtualBox 7.1.4, and Windows 11. Although VirtualBox 7.1.4 supports RHEL 9 officially, the combination of an upgraded Windows 11 host system and VirtualBox 7.1.4 may still have compatibility issues.
Downgrading VirtualBox back to version 7.0.x or rolling back the Windows 11 upgrade to Windows 10 may serve as a workaround until the compatibility issues are resolved.
Kernel Updates
Another possible cause might be kernel updates in RHEL 9. The kernel version could affect compatibility with VirtualBox and Windows 11. Users can check the current kernel version in RHEL 9 by executing the following command:
# uname -r
[kernel version]
If the kernel version is suspected to be causing the crashes, try using an earlier supported kernel version in RHEL 9 or installing VirtualBox 7.1.4 on a different host system.
VirtualBox Guest Additions
VirtualBox Guest Additions serve as the link between VirtualBox and the guest operating system, providing useful features like seamless mouse integration, shared folders, and dynamic display resizing. Ensure that the Guest Additions in RHEL 9 are compatible with VirtualBox 7.1.4.
Update or reinstall the Guest Additions if necessary by following these steps:
-
Mount the Guest Additions CD image from the VirtualBox Devices menu.
-
In the RHEL 9 terminal, navigate to the CD image's directory and execute
./VBoxLinuxAdditions.runto install or update Guest Additions.
- Type of References: Books, articles, and online resources.
- Books: Understanding Red Hat Enterprise Linux, VirtualBox 7.1.4 User Manual.
- Articles: Oracle VirtualBox Changelog, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Release Notes.
- Online Resources: VirtualBox Official Documentation, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Documentation, and Microsoft Windows 11 Documentation.