[Pkg-virtualbox-devel] Bug#494891: Bug#494891: Bug#494891: virtualbox-ose:The character device /dev/vboxdrv does not exist

[Jari Aalto]

Patrick Winnertz <winnie at debian.org> writes:

> On Wednesday 13 August 2008 08:53:53 Jari Aalto wrote:
>> Patrick Winnertz <winnie at debian.org> writes:
>> > Hey,
>> >
>> >> The virtualbox-ose-modules-2.6.25-2-amd64 was installed in the system,
>> >> so the prblem with the error message was:
>> >>
>> >>    $ lsmod | grep vboxdrv
>> >>    <empty>
>> >
>> > ...The error msg suggests to load this module, so in my eyes there
>> > is no error.
>>
>> it does not hint however, that it may be that the kernel
>> module that is possibly not activated.
>
> Here the important part of the text: 
>          Please install the virtualbox-ose-modules package for your kernel and
>          load the module named vboxdrv into your system.
>                                ^^^^^

Indeed I see it now. Why did't I understand it before: "<pondering>
the package is not installed? I'm positive it is. Hm, I'll reinstall
it anyway ... <done> .. Now try again. Still the same message?"

The assumption was that the package would make the "magic" to activate
needed kernel module. It had worked before, so it was difficult to
re-orient to the error message.

May I suggest improving it to more informative:

          Verify that proper virtualbox-ose-modules package is
          installed for your kernel. Vefify also that kernel module
          'vboxdrv' is loaded into your system (lsmod(1) and check
          /etc/default/virtualbox*).

Jari