USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - Virtualbox 3.1.0

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Mac OS X hosts.
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HipHoppity
Posts: 92
Joined: 14. May 2009, 19:53
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: WinXP SP3
Location: Bandini Mountain

USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - Virtualbox 3.1.0

Post by HipHoppity »

I've run into a strange problem after upgrading a Mac OSX Host from VirtualBox 3.0.12 to the new 3.1.0 build. The "USB Devices" menu for the Guest is completely grayed out (image below).
USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - VBox 3.1.0
USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - VBox 3.1.0
USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - VBox 3.1.0.jpg (30.74 KiB) Viewed 13190 times
Here's what I'm running on this machine:
Host = Mac OSX Leopard ( v. 10.5.8 )
Guest = Windows Pro XP SP3
VirtualBox 3.1.0 PUEL version (installer package VirtualBox-3.1.0-55467-OSX.dmg)
USB Controller Enabled in Guest
Guest Additions 3.1.0 installed

Interestingly, I can still attach to USB devices through the icon in the lower right-hand-side of the Guest window (image below).
Lower RHS Guest Window
Lower RHS Guest Window
USB Devices Lower RHS Guest Window - VBox 3.1.0.jpg (10.97 KiB) Viewed 13191 times
I thought perhaps reinstalling VBox 3.1.0 might fix this problem with the grayed out USB Devices menu. I've tried two reinstalls so far as follow without success:

Reinstall #1
1. Remove Guest Additions from Guest
2. Uninstall VirtualBox with Uninstall tool
3. Shutdown/Restart Host
4. Install VirtualBox build 3.1.0
5. Install Guest Additions

Reinstall #2
1. Same as above through Host shutdown/restart (item #3)
2. Remove "VirtualBox" folder from ~/Library/ folder (the one with the "Machines" folder and VirtualBox.xml file, etc.)
3. Install VirtualBox build 3.1.0
4. Configure new VM with prior Win XP hard drive *.vdi file.
5. Install Guest Additions

Neither of these attempts change the grayed out USB Devices menu problem. Otherwise, I haven't noticed any other problems with the behavior of the Guest on this machine.

I couldn't locate any info on resolving this problem. Any advice on fixing this is most welcome.
HipHoppity
HipHoppity
Posts: 92
Joined: 14. May 2009, 19:53
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: WinXP SP3
Location: Bandini Mountain

Re: USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - Virtualbox 3.1.0

Post by HipHoppity »

Update

I had some more time today to work on this. I found that I can revert my WinXP back to VBox 3.0.12 and then use the USB Devices menu just as before -- everything works fine. The problem is reproducible.

I couldn't locate any info on resolving this problem. This appears to be a bug.

I've opened Bugtracker Ticket #5723 for this problem => http://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/5723
HipHoppity
lkz633
Posts: 1
Joined: 7. Dec 2009, 09:52
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows, Ubuntu

Re: USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - Virtualbox 3.1.0

Post by lkz633 »

thanks for posting this. I have the same issue, hopefully someone will look into it.

-Max
HipHoppity
Posts: 92
Joined: 14. May 2009, 19:53
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: WinXP SP3
Location: Bandini Mountain

Re: USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - Virtualbox 3.1.0

Post by HipHoppity »

Hi Max,

Sorry to hear you are experiencing this bug too. If you have a chance to attach a copy of your VBox.log to the Bugtracker Ticket #5723 (link above) this might help the developers track down what is happening with this problem. You can locate the log file in ~/Library/VirtualBox/Machines/(Your Guest Name)/Logs/.
HipHoppity
HipHoppity
Posts: 92
Joined: 14. May 2009, 19:53
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: WinXP SP3
Location: Bandini Mountain

Re: USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - Virtualbox 3.1.0

Post by HipHoppity »

Update

Installing VirtualBox 3.1.2 seems to have "fixed" this problem. My USB Devices menu shows up and works fine like before with VBox 3.0.12 (image below).
Devices Menu After VBox 3.1.2 Install
Devices Menu After VBox 3.1.2 Install
Devices Menu VBox 3.1.2.jpg (32.96 KiB) Viewed 12179 times
For those of you that reported having the grayed-out USB Devices menu -- please give build 3.1.2 a try to see if this solves the problem for you.
HipHoppity
loukingjr
Volunteer
Posts: 8851
Joined: 30. Apr 2009, 09:45
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: just about all that run

Re: USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - Virtualbox 3.1.0

Post by loukingjr »

HipHoppity wrote:Update

Installing VirtualBox 3.1.2 seems to have "fixed" this problem. My USB Devices menu shows up and works fine like before with VBox 3.0.12 (image below).
The attachment Devices Menu VBox 3.1.2.jpg is no longer available
For those of you that reported having the grayed-out USB Devices menu -- please give build 3.1.2 a try to see if this solves the problem for you.
mine's still grayed-out
screenshot_02.jpg
screenshot_02.jpg (80.46 KiB) Viewed 12189 times
OSX, Linux and Windows Hosts & Guests
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HipHoppity
Posts: 92
Joined: 14. May 2009, 19:53
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: WinXP SP3
Location: Bandini Mountain

Re: USB Devices Menu Grayed Out - Virtualbox 3.1.0

Post by HipHoppity »

Hi Loukingjr,

In this thread we're tracking the bug where the USB Devices menu is completely grayed-out and thereby unusable. You seem to be able to navigate thru this menu, but have particular USB devices grayed-out.

You might want to check out Bugtracker Ticket #4168 to see if this describes your problems => http://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/4168

Another recent thread (USB Devices unavailable/grayed-out due to permission problem) lead by Gnumpf might also be of interest to you with this grayed-out device problem => http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=23701
HipHoppity
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