F8 Key not working when installing Windows XP

[rnaval]

I've installed VirtualBox on my new iMac. I am now trying to run the Windows XP installation from the CD. I get to a point where it prompts me to press F8 to agree. What is the correct key stroke on the Mac keyboard to emulate the F8 key? I tried pressing alt + F8, F8 by itself, Control + F8 and Command + F8 but nothing works.

Any suggestions?

[vbox4me2]

Let me guess, you have never heard of google, have you?
http://www.google.nl/search?hl=nl&q=f8+ ... =&aq=x&oq=

[ecoarena]

It was via Google that I got here!

So.... the correct combination is 'fn' 'F8'

Hope this helps.

Phil

[GalakFyarr]

It still doesn't work for me

I'm using Virtualbox 3.0.8, Mac OS 10.5.8 and trying to run a Windows XP guest on my macbook (black version)

When I arrive at the page where I have to press F8 to accept, it doesn't work.

1. it makes the "mac error noise" when I press F8 (cause that's volume, not F8).
2. I tried FN+F8. it does not work at all
3. I tried going to System Preferences > Keyboard en Mouse > Keyboard > Use all F1 etc., still with NO result when pressing F8 (no mac error noise) or FN+F8 (error noise, meaning it considers it as the volume key)
4. I tried accessing the virtual keyboard through System Preferences>International, and clicked the F8 button, with still no effect.

On a side note, pressing FN+down works to get the page down key. pressing FN+F6 when starting up works too (it asks for installation of other software)

[Perryg]

Try clicking fn+f8 while you have focus in the guest. Click in the guest to get the focus.
pressing the host key (right+ctrl) unless you have changed it. Which if you are using a MAC I bet you will sooner or later, will release the mouse from the guest.
After you get it all installed and have the guest additions installed then all will be right in the world.
To change the host key you need to go to preference in the VBox progran and input.
Click on the area that had the host key defined and then click the left ctrl key to switch it to that.

[knitd]

pressing the host key (right+ctrl) unless you have changed it. Which if you are using a MAC I bet you will sooner or later, will release the mouse from the guest.

The host key on Mac OS is by standard the left Command-key (not the right Ctrl-key as on other OSes).

[GalakFyarr]

Well i've tried almost any combination I could think of

Ctrl+F8, FN+F8, Shift+F8, Alt+F8, Cmd+F8, none of them worked... my host key is the left CMD key

On another side note, I connected a USB keyboard to my macbook, and that keyboard has its own F1-F12 keys. However, it still didn't work, there is no reaction at all.
But again, pressing F2 works (for "recovery install" or smt like that).

During the installation process, it says "press F6 to install drivers etc", if I press FN+F6 it does not work, then it asks for "press F2 for "Windows Automated Recovery etc.", which DOES work when pressing FN+F6.... apparently nor F6 nor F8 work for me

[Sasquatch]

What happens if you add the USB keyboard to the VM directly through the USB menu? It's a long shot, but worth a try.

[smurfcorpse]

I don't know if this is similar to a problem I had but.. In order to get the focus on the keyboard I had to press the tab key first and then pressed the function key(s) I needed.

[VirtualVirus]

Make sure you are on the window. Click on the window then hold down fn and hit f8.

[GalakFyarr]

What happens if you add the USB keyboard to the VM directly through the USB menu? It's a long shot, but worth a try.

how do I access the USB menu? I'm installing the VM, so I don't think I can configure anything yet. I'm stuck at the moment I have to "accept T&C's", and "accept" is the F8 button... or are you talking of something I do in the host computer?

[GalakFyarr]

Make sure you are on the window. Click on the window then hold down fn and hit f8.

i'll give this a try..

however I'm skeptical, since it seems it's only F8 that isn't working. if I press FN+down it acts like "page down" and pressing "esc" works too.

And i just did it and it didn't work...

[Sasquatch]

When you start the VM, click on the Devices menu, then USB. Select the keyboard from there. Windows should detect the USB keyboard and be able to accept input from it.

[GalakFyarr]

When you start the VM, click on the Devices menu, then USB. Select the keyboard from there. Windows should detect the USB keyboard and be able to accept input from it.

thank you so much! it works now, it's currently installing

oddly enough, it did not work with my USB keyboard, where the F8 button still didn't work, even after selecting the USB keyboard in the Devices menu. Then I tried something else, I selected my internal keyboar/trackpad, and tried FN+F8 again, and this time it worked!

only downside: my macbook's keyboard is in use by Windows currently, and i can't do anything with it (i'm using my USB keyboard now lol)... I hope I'll be able to deselect my keyboard again...

[Sasquatch]

Hit the Host Key (it's shown in the bottom right) and the keyboard and mouse will be released.