Running Ubuntu 10.04 LinuxCNC in virtual machine

Out of frustration, (too many problems) I've given up trying to get 28.4 installed on my machine at home.  I do have Ubuntu Precise running in a Vbox virtual machine - simulations only.
I have a very good Ubuntu 18.04 running LinuxCNC at the shop pretty much flawlessly - it's the version which drives my machines.
My question is, which settings would allow the VM installation to become immune to the inevitable latency stops?  What should I change?

The VM can't support real time. I'm sorry.

i thought i was clear that i was looking for a simulation, not real time.
It can be clunky and still do what I want which is to catch bad tool paths.

You were not clear about anything (except frustration), i read your post 5 times and still could not figure why are you mentioning several versions of LinuxCNC and naming Linux versions at random, but i was sure you are trying to run a machine from a VM, from your post I even wrote a reply but decided to cancel it as not to add to your frustration.
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Simulator can work on pretty much anything with a bit of effort, but i do not know what version you want ....

let me take another whack at it. I want to trial run g-code at home. I have linuxcnc running in a ubuntu 10.04 virtual machine in vbox. it sort of works, but as you might expect it hangs with timing errors. I'm guessing that I can fix this with the right error and ferror settings but have no idea which direction to move them.

I did the compile which resulted in a wonderful linuxcnc running on ubuntu 18.04 at the shop - runs a mill and a router flawlessly, but I'm older and dumber and I don't want to go through it again so I was just hoping to make my little 10.04 be able to make it through a run without the "joint 2" stops.

Maybe it isn't easy.

As to the frustration, no way is that a slam at you guys. I have a screwy computer at home and wasn't expecting a new Debian installation was going to be a slam dunk. it's ok.

Did you try running the new ISO from the downloads page in the VM?
Should work, but if it ends up having issues with timings, install a vanilla kernel if possible and remove the RT kernel.
10.04 was in Ubuntu and used RTAI kernel, this in VM had issues.
2.8.4 is on Debian and uses the RT kernel, this should work, probably as is.
BTW, mostly, these days it is much easier to install LinuxCNC, so no compiling, and Debian already has included LinuxCNC in upcoming releases.