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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).
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).
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.

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

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

-Max

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/.

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).
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 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

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