Update from 5.0.2 to 5.0.4, VRDE disabled

[YakkoWarner]

I just updated my VirtualBox on Debian Wheezy from 5.0.2 to 5.0.4, and VRDE seems to be non-functional. I run it headless and manage it using phpVirtualBox. When I start the Windows XP virtual machine, the phpVirtualBox page shows the remote desktop port in red and crossed out. Remote Desktop cannot connect. I can see the VM running in phpVirtualBox's preview window, but I have absolutely no way to control it.

The last time this happened, it was because I had not updated the extension pack with VirtualBox itself, but this time, I made sure to do that, uninstalling the old extension pack, running VBoxManage extpack cleanup, and installing the 5.0.4 extension pack. It's not helping this time.

Curiously, if I try to set the VRDE server using VBoxHeadless --vrde on, it just prints out the usage page. I'm not sure if that means the command is working or not doing anything.

[frank]

If you do

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VBoxHeadless --vrde on

it means that you forgot to specify the VM which is to be started. VBoxHeadless is the VM process. So first, try if

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VBoxHeadless --vrde on --startvm VM_NAME

works and if the VRDE server is really enabled. Then check the VBox.log file for hints about problems with the Extension Pack.

[YakkoWarner]

Ok, I started it with

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VBoxHeadless --vrde on --startvm VM_NAME

but there was no change; I still couldn't connect to it with RDP.

In the log, there's a big clue to the cause, but not the solution.

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00:00:00.045106 Package type: LINUX_32BITS_DEBIAN_7_0
00:00:00.211632 Installed Extension Packs:
00:00:00.211671   Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack (Version: 5.0.4 r102546; VRDE Module: VBoxVRDP)
00:00:00.212257 Console: Machine state changed to 'Starting'
00:00:00.488721 VRDE: VirtualBox Remote Desktop Extension is not available.
00:00:00.573505 SUP: Loaded VMMR0.r0 (/usr/lib/virtualbox/VMMR0.r0) at 0xf92e4020 - ModuleInit at 00000000f93037f0 and ModuleTerm at 00000000f9303c90
00:00:00.573560 SUP: VMMR0EntryEx located at 00000000f93075f0 and VMMR0EntryFast at 00000000f9306dc0
00:00:00.577717 Guest OS type: 'WindowsXP'

The extension pack is installed, but VRDE isn't available? Why?

[Perryg]

@YakkoWarner,

Please post the guests log file as an attachment, not just a snippet.

[YakkoWarner]

Please post the guests log file as an attachment, not just a snippet.

As you wish.

[Perryg]

I would also like to see the results of the following from the hosts terminal

• VBoxManage list extpacks

[YakkoWarner]

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> VBoxManage list extpacks
Extension Packs: 1
Pack no. 0:   Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack
Version:      5.0.4
Revision:     102546
Edition:
Description:  USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Host Controller, Host Webcam, VirtualBox RDP, PXE ROM, Disk Encryption.
VRDE Module:  VBoxVRDP
Usable:       true
Why unusable:
>

[Perryg]

Do either of these commands start the guest as intended?

• VBoxHeadless --startvm <uuid|name>
  VBoxHeadless --startvm <uuid|name> --vrde on

I know frank said to do vrde before the guest id but the syntax is the at the end. Also just starting headless unless you specify --vrde off is suppose to default to it being on.

[YakkoWarner]

Nope, same results in both cases.

[Perryg]

One last thing to see if you can isolate where the issue is try the following.

• VBoxManage startvm "VM name" --type headless

[YakkoWarner]

Ok, I ran that. Still no change in results.

Log file is attached. I compared it to the log file posted above, and except for the timestamps, there's almost no difference.

[Perryg]

Well the extension pack is clearly installed and stated as usable, so given the guest reports it is not suggest there is an issue between the host and guest channels. I do not have this issue on any of my systems so I don't know what else to say. Maybe Frank will drop back by with a suggestion, or you can post a ticket at bugtracker

[frank]

VRDE: VirtualBox Remote Desktop Extension is not available.

Could you check if the Extension Pack is properly installed? Check the GUI / Preferences / Extension Packs or better do

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VBoxManage list extpacks

and post the output here.

[YakkoWarner]

Yep, I did that a few posts above, but here's the output again:

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> VBoxManage list extpacks
Extension Packs: 1
Pack no. 0:   Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack
Version:      5.0.4
Revision:     102546
Edition:
Description:  USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Host Controller, Host Webcam, VirtualBox RDP, PXE ROM, Disk Encryption.
VRDE Module:  VBoxVRDP
Usable:       true
Why unusable:
>

[YakkoWarner]

*sigh*

Sometimes, all you have to do is reboot to fix a problem.

Sorry to concern you guys, and thanks for trying to help. I do appreciate it.