VirtualBox:Fatal:Could not read from Boot Medium! System Halted

The error message “Fatal: Could not read from Boot Medium! System Halted” in VirtualBox usually indicates that the virtual machine (VM) is unable to find a bootable medium (like a hard disk image or an installation ISO) to start the operating system. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

Check Virtual Machine Settings:
- Open VirtualBox and select the VM that is showing the error.
- Click on “Settings” and navigate to the “Storage” section.
- Ensure that there is a bootable disk attached to the VM. This can be either a virtual hard disk (VDI, VMDK, etc.) or an ISO file for installation.
Verify Boot Order:
- In the VM settings, go to the “System” section.
- Under the “Motherboard” tab, check the “Boot Order” list. Ensure that the hard disk or optical drive (if using an ISO) is prioritized correctly.
Attach a Bootable Disk:
- If you are trying to install an OS, make sure to attach an ISO file of the OS installation media:
  - In the “Storage” section, click on the empty optical drive.
  - Click on the disk icon next to “Optical Drive” and choose “Choose a disk file…” to select your ISO.
- If you have an existing virtual hard disk, make sure it is correctly attached under the “Controller: SATA” or “Controller: IDE” section.
Check Disk Image Integrity:
- If you are using a virtual hard disk, ensure that the disk image is not corrupted. If you suspect corruption, consider creating a new virtual hard disk.
Create a New Virtual Machine:
- If the above steps do not resolve the issue, try creating a new virtual machine and ensure you follow the steps to properly attach a bootable medium.
Update VirtualBox:
- Ensure you are using the latest version of VirtualBox. Sometimes, bugs in older versions can lead to issues like this.
Check VirtualBox Logs:
- If the problem persists, check the logs for more detailed error messages. You can find the logs in the VM’s folder under Logs or by clicking on “Show Log” in the VirtualBox UI.
Use a Different Virtualization Format:
- If you are using a VMDK or another format, try converting it to VDI format, which is the native format for VirtualBox.
Check Host System:
- Make sure that your host system’s virtualization settings (like BIOS/UEFI settings) are enabled correctly.

After following these steps, your virtual machine should be able to find a bootable medium and start without the error. If the issue still persists, consider looking for help in VirtualBox forums or communities with specific details about your setup.