Cannot add VMs that I see as vdi vbox files

[j194]

I found updating to 5.2.16 broke file sharing so I uninstalled it and installed 5.2.14 with its extensions. (virtualbox 5.2.14 with extensions installed; Debian testing.)

File sharing works now.

In moving backup files, some VMs were renamed but are consistent for each VM.

I now can see a list of VMs as *.vbox and * vdi files with my file manager, but Virtualbox's Machine Add can only see one VM. I rechecked the permissions and Owner,Gorup,Others are all now set for all R/W/E .

How can get Add to see them so I can add the VMs to what is displayed and can be started ?

I am new to using VMs so I apologize in advance if I have made this worse for myself and this has an obvious solution.

[socratis]

In moving backup files, some VMs were renamed but are consistent for each VM.

Can you explain that part? The VMs are "added" by pointing them to their ".vbox" file.

[j194]

I appreciate the response. As I recall, I rechecked the names of the files for consistency, and Vbox still could not see them. So, ...

I gave up and went back to the earliest VM in the series and reinstalled software into the OS in the VM, rebuilding the VM that was not seen.

I have the vague feeling that if the files are renamed, they no longer match a list that vbox has somewhere...

Thanks again.

[mpack]

I have the vague feeling that if the files are renamed, they no longer match a list that vbox has somewhere...

That's like saying "if I cut my head off I have a feeling it might have a detrimental effect on my health". Well of course it will! You aren't supposed to be renaming VirtualBox files, especially when you don't understand what the files are for. E.g. a VDI is not a VM, it's just an image of one disk drive, and a PC consists of more than a disk drive.