Shared Folder and Guest Additions

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Linux hosts.
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micksuley
Posts: 30
Joined: 25. Apr 2011, 09:33
Primary OS: Ubuntu other
VBox Version: OSE Debian
Guest OSses: xp

Shared Folder and Guest Additions

Post by micksuley »

My Host is Mint21 Cinnamon and guest is Mint21 FXCE. I am trying to set up a shared folder.
The setup looks correct but I cannot see the shared folder on the guest. I seem to remember that for shared folders to work I need to install Guest Additions, however I have not been able to do that.
When I select "Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD Image" I get an error

Code: Select all

Unable to insert the virtual optical disk /usr/share/virtualbox/VBoxGuestAdditions.iso into the machine Mint21XFCE2.
the details

Code: Select all

Could not mount the media/drive '/usr/share/virtualbox/VBoxGuestAdditions.iso' (VERR_PDM_MEDIA_LOCKED).
Result Code: 
NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005)
Component: 
ConsoleWrap
Interface: 
IConsole {872da645-4a9b-1727-bee2-5585105b9eed}
Callee: 
IMachine {85632c68-b5bb-4316-a900-5eb28d3413df}
I found many hits on line but nothing has fixed it. I have tried removing the CD in Settings > Storage, I have tried manually selecting it, nothing works.

What am I missing?
Thanks
Mick
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Shared Folder and Guest Additions

Post by scottgus1 »

micksuley wrote:VERR_PDM_MEDIA_LOCKED
This means there is a CD ISO already in the VM's CD drive, and the Linux OS inside the VM has mounted it or otherwise grabbed hold of it firmly.

Eject the present CD from the CD drive inside the VM OS, then try inserting the Guest Additions CD image again.
micksuley
Posts: 30
Joined: 25. Apr 2011, 09:33
Primary OS: Ubuntu other
VBox Version: OSE Debian
Guest OSses: xp

Re: Shared Folder and Guest Additions

Post by micksuley »

Thanks for your reply.
OK I open up the VM and Machine > Settings > Storage and then remove the CD, it then shows empty.
I can then choose Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD , that seems OK
What then? I expected it to install the Guest Additions but it does nothing. I still cannot see my shared folder so I assume that Guest Additions have not installed.
Mick
granada29
Volunteer
Posts: 690
Joined: 3. Mar 2015, 07:27
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Linux, macOS, Windows

Re: Shared Folder and Guest Additions

Post by granada29 »

You have to first mount the CD, just as you would for a physical CD placed in a physical machine. Some flavours of Linux may do this automatically, but many don't. I am not sure what strategy Mint adopts.

Linux is not Windows and it will not run the GA Installer automatically.

See 4.2.2. Guest Additions for Linux for documentation on installing the Linux Guest Additions
micksuley
Posts: 30
Joined: 25. Apr 2011, 09:33
Primary OS: Ubuntu other
VBox Version: OSE Debian
Guest OSses: xp

Re: Shared Folder and Guest Additions

Post by micksuley »

OK I got there! GA installed and now my shared folder works.
Now to make notes for next time.

Many thanks
Mick
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