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4

Install Lubuntu 18.10 on a 4GB Virtual Machine

rated 0 times [ 4] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 1446 / 1 Year ago, fri, december 2, 2022, 5:34:30

I read that is possible to install Lubuntu on a 4 GB pendrive, so I would like to do the same on a 4GB virtual machine (on VirtualBox 5.2). The problem is that when I execute it, it says that there is no enough space and that 8GB are required. How can I install it?

EDIT: I'm asking a different question. How can I simulate the installation of Lubuntu on a 4GB pendrive on a virtual machine?

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fittecanap

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4 Years ago

answered 1 Year ago irripri · Accepted Answer

Brute force installation from even mini.iso may fail because of not enough disk space during installation (as it needs it for both packages downloading into /var/cache/apt/archives and their extracting to root filesystem).

But you can get small viable system by proceeding with the following procedure:

Install SSH server on the host
```
sudo apt-get install ssh
```

Create folder on the host for storing deb-archives inside home directory of your user (let's call him host-user)
```
mkdir -p ~/Public/debs
```

Download minimal Network Boot mini.iso

Configure VM to use bridged adapter networking

and determine host IP with any method you like (from ifconfig or something).

Let's assume it is 192.168.13.37.

Boot VM from mini.iso

Proceed with minimal installation (make whole disk a single partition for rootfs, and do not select huge components on the taskel package selection) and reboot VM on finish

Install SSHfs client into guest
```
sudo apt-get install sshfs
```

Mount /var/cache/apt/archives from outside the VM with SSHFS from host to guest
```
sudo sshfs [email protected]:/home/host-user/Public/debs /var/cache/apt/archives -o nonempty
```
Note: change host-user to real username on host and 192.168.13.37 to the IP of the host.

Then install the Lubuntu flavor as usual by APT but without recommended parts (to save disk space)
```
sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop --no-install-recommends
```

Reboot and enjoy.

As the result you will get 1 Gb free and pretty small but usable system. Install Firefox and other stuff by hand.

Notes:

1. Consider to use LTS version of the Ubuntu instead of 9-month regular version.

2. You can install almost any flavor by this method.