virtualbox arch failed to load kernal modules

VirtualBox Arch Failed to Load Kernel Modules: A Troubleshooting Guide

When installing VirtualBox on a fresh Lubuntu 16.04 setup, users may encounter an error message indicating that the kernel modules failed to load. This issue can be frustrating, especially for those who are new to Linux. In this article, we will delve into the causes and solutions of this problem.

The Error Message

When attempting to install VirtualBox, you may see an error message similar to the following:

`virtualbox-5.0_5.0.20-106931-Ubuntu-xenial_b: processing triggers for shared-mime-info (1.5-2) ...`

This message is followed by a series of other messages, including:

`Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme (0.15-0ubuntu1) ...`

`Processing triggers for systemd (229-4ubuntu4) ...`

`Processing triggers for ureadahead (0.100.0-19) ...`

`(Look at /var/log/vbox-install.log to find out what went wrong)`

The Problem

The issue arises because the kernel modules required by VirtualBox are not properly installed or configured on your system. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including incomplete installations, missing dependencies, or incorrect configuration.

Solution 1: Use a PPA Instead of dpkg

One potential solution is to use a Personal Package Archive (PPA) instead of installing VirtualBox using the `dpkg` command. This approach allows you to install the package and its dependencies in a single step.

Solution 2: Install Dependencies Using apt-get

Another solution is to manually list the dependencies required by the package and then install them using `apt-get`. This can be done using the following commands:

```

$ dpkg -I virtualbox*.deb

$ sudo apt-get install dkms linux-header-generic

```

Solution 3: Fix Package Issues Using apt-get

If the above solutions do not work, you can try to fix package issues using `apt-get`. This command will attempt to install missing dependencies and resolve any conflicts:

```

$ sudo apt-get -f install

```

In conclusion, the 'virtualbox arch failed to load kernel modules' error is a common issue that can be caused by incomplete installations, missing dependencies, or incorrect configuration. By following the solutions outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and successfully install VirtualBox on your Lubuntu 16.04 system.

Remember to always use `apt-get` to manage packages and their dependencies, as it is designed to handle these tasks more efficiently than `dpkg`. Additionally, consider using a PPA instead of installing packages manually to avoid potential issues.

Virtualbox arch failed to load kernal modules