Install DKMS-VirtualBox driver not installed: Error after updating to new Linux Kernel
Yesterday I did a post on How to install virtualbox on Ubuntu 9.04 and run WindowsXP as virtual OS. However, today after I upgraded my Linux Kernel I realized that VirtualBox stopped working throwing the error saying Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908). Also, it was suggested by VirtualBox that installing DKMS package would solve theongrat issue. Let’s see how to correct the error and to make sure that this error doesn’t occur again in future. Following is the error I got:
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. Re-setup 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.
About DKMS
This package contains the framework for the Dynamic Kernel Module. Support (DKMS) method for installing and updating kernel modules.
Solution
Install the DKMS package by typing the follow command at the terminal.
sudo apt-get install dkms
This should install DKMS and should take care of coordinating upgrades of individual applications with upgrades of the linux kernel in future, so they always stay in synch.
However we have to still fix the current virtualbox error. To do so, reinstall VirtualBox. Follow the steps at How to install virtualbox on Ubuntu 9.04 and run WindowsXP as virtual OS.
Don’t worry about your current setting and VMs and Vdi disks. All the settings will be saved. You’ll no more face a similar situation once you have DKMS and wont have to worry about Linux Kernel Upgrade.
