If you want to test Joli OS on a Mac, you can use virtualization software, which allows to run a different operating system in its own window on your desktop.

 

About VirtualBox

There are different virtualization softwares available to download and install. This document will guide you through installing Joli OS using VirtualBox. You can download it for free from www.virtualbox.org.

In order to run VirtualBox on your machine, you need reasonably powerful hardware, and whatever amount of memory your host operating system needs to run comfortably, plus the 384MB that Joli OS needs to run.

After installation, you can start VirtualBox as follows:

• On a Windows host, in the standard 'Programs' menu, click on the item in the 'VirtualBox' group. On Vista or Windows 7, you can also type 'VirtualBox' in the search box of the 'Start' menu.
• On a Mac OS X host, in the Finder, double-click on the 'VirtualBox' item in the 'Applications' folder. (You may want to drag this item onto your Dock.)

Here are the steps included in this guide:

1. Download the Joli OS ISO
2. Creating your first virtual machine
3. Creating a new virtual hard disk
4. Installing and setting up Joli OS
5. Using Joli OS and Jolicloud

1. Download the Joli OS ISO

You can download the Joli OS ISO from our website: www.jolicloud.com/download.

2. Creating your first virtual machine

When you start VirtualBox for the first time, a window like the following should come up:

On the left, you can see a pane that will later list all your virtual machines. Since you have not created any, the list is empty. A row of buttons above it allows you to create new VMs and work on existing VMs, once you have some. 

Click on the 'New' button at the top of the VirtualBox window. A wizard will pop up to guide you through setting up a new virtual machine (VM):

The wizard will ask you for the minimum information needed to create a VM:

• A name for your VM. The name is what you will later see in the VirtualBox main window, and what your settings will be stored under.
• The type of operating system (OS) you want to install. For 'Operating System Type', select 'Linux' and 'Other' for instance.

Click 'Next'.

Specify the amount of memory (RAM) that the virtual machine should have for itself. We recommend you give Joli OS a minimum of 384MB RAM.

Click 'Next'.

 

3. Creating a new virtual hard disk

Next, you must specify a virtual hard disk for your VM. It makes things easier to create a new hard disk.

 Click 'Next'.

 This brings up another window, the 'Create New Virtual Disk Wizard'. 

 Click 'Next'.

VirtualBox supports two types of virtual hard disk: Dynamically expanding storage and fixed-sized storage. We recommend you select 'Dynamically expanding storage'.

A dynamically expanding file will only grow in size when Joli OS actually stores data on its virtual hard disk. It will therefore initially be small on the host hard drive and only later grow to the size specified as it is filled with data.

Click 'Next'.

To prevent your physical hard disk from running full, VirtualBox limits the size of the image file. Still, it needs to be large enough to hold the contents of Joli OS and the applications you want to install. We recommend you allocate a minimum of 4GB for Joli OS. 4GB is ok if you just want to try Joli OS. But if you intend to use it in a more extensive way, we should recommend that you create a disk with a greater size (like 8GB or 16GB). No space will be wasted since the disk is an expanding store.

Click 'Next'.

You will then see a summary of your settings.

After clicking 'Finish', your new virtual machine will be created.

You will now see your new virtual machine in the list of virtual machines, at the left of the VirtualBox main window. To start the virtual machine, simply double-click on it, or select it and press the 'Start' button at the top.

Since this is the first time you are running your Joli OS VM, another wizard will show up to help you select an installation medium. Since the VM is created empty, it would otherwise behave just like a real computer with no operating system installed: it will do nothing and display an error message that it cannot boot an operating system.

For this reason, the 'First Run Wizard' helps you select an operating system medium to install Jolciloud from.

Click 'Next' at the bottom of the Welcome screen.

You need to find and use your ISO image as a virtual CD, which VirtualBox can then present to the virtual machine:

• Select CD/DVD-ROM Device. 
• In the drop down menu below, the name of your machine's DVD Drive should show up. 
• Click the folder icon on the right side to browse your files and find your ISO to replace your DVD Drive as media source.

Click on the 'Add' icon to find and select your .iso file. It should show up as selected CD/DVD Image.

Click 'Select'.

Back in the 'Select Installation Media' window, your .iso file should appear as selected 'Media Source'.

Click 'Next'.

You will then see a summary. Click on 'Finish' to boot Joli OS with VirtualBox.

 

4. Installing and setting up Joli OS

Welcome screen: enter the language you want to use for the installation process and as default language on your system. Click 'Forward'.

 

Select 'Try Joli OS' if you just want to test Joli OS (Running a Live Session Guide is coming). Be aware that the Joli os install and all local data will not be saved on your computer.

We recommend that you select 'Install Joli OS' (using the navigation arrows on your keyboard) to enjoy Joli OS whenever you want.

A wizard will guide you through the process of installing Joli OS. You can read Joli OS Partition Installer Guide for more details.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Joli OS using VirtualBox.

The last thing you need to do is to remove your virtual CD from your computer and reboot your virtual machine. To remove the virtual CD, right click on the CD icon at the bottom right of your VM window, and select 'Unmount CD/DVD Device':

Don't forget to restart your virtual machine.

 

5. Using Joli OS and Jolicloud

You may want to check this guide for details to use Joli OS for the first time (even though it's super easy, don't worry).

 

Happy Joliclouding!