Virtual XP very very slow if using shared folders on Mac

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Mac OS X hosts.
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supertobs
Posts: 2
Joined: 11. Jan 2009, 11:47

Virtual XP very very slow if using shared folders on Mac

Post by supertobs »

I have VirtualBox 2.1.0 running on Mac OS X 10.5.6. If I turn on a shared folder (common acces of Mac and Windows XP to my documents for example), then Windows XP is incredibly slow with everything having need to access folders. For example, opening the program file list in the start menu takes 2-3 minutes.

I I switch of shared folders, then everythings runs smooth. Would be nice to have shared folders to back up my Windows files with Time Machine in Leopard.

I look through many threads, but couldnt find a solution.
baf
Volunteer
Posts: 829
Joined: 27. Sep 2008, 06:18
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: linux,xp,win7
Location: Luleå or Skellefteå, Sweden

Post by baf »

Try this:

In C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
change the line

Code: Select all

127.0.0.1       localhost
by appending Vboxsvr and your computer name
so for a computer named the_box it would become

Code: Select all

127.0.0.1       localhost Vboxsvr the_box
Some say: "You learn as long as you live".
My way: "You live as long as you learn".
supertobs
Posts: 2
Joined: 11. Jan 2009, 11:47

Post by supertobs »

Thanks for the quick response. I made the change as mentioned. My iMac is named "iMac". This name is shown in the "Sharing preferences". I tried both "iMac" and "iMac.local" as my computer names. I left it with "iMac" then.

Both seem to work. Access is much faster but still slower than without shared folders. Even if I dont acess the shared folders themselves. Howeverm, the speed is acceptable, as I dont use Windows that often.
brunojcm
Posts: 5
Joined: 18. Jun 2009, 15:23
Primary OS: Fedora other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows XP

Re: Virtual XP very very slow if using shared folders on Mac

Post by brunojcm »

This solution worked for me, but still slow..

Only mapping de shared folder in a drive worked perfectly for me, as said here:
http://blogs.sun.com/dups/entry/virtual ... ed_folders

I mapped my home shared folder in host on H: in guest using windows explorer (Tools menu) and now the folder opens instantly.

Thanks!
Haroldo
Posts: 15
Joined: 18. Apr 2009, 11:37
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows XP Pro

Re: Virtual XP very very slow if using shared folders on Mac

Post by Haroldo »

I set up the host file and now the shared folder is fast...sort of.
If I open Word and navigate to the shared folder, it just sits there.
However, if I go to desktop and open the shared folder, it opens instantly and I can launch the *.doc right away.
I have the workaround, but is there any reason why this occurs?
Thanks!
Haroldo
Posts: 15
Joined: 18. Apr 2009, 11:37
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows XP Pro

Re: Virtual XP very very slow if using shared folders on Mac

Post by Haroldo »

Haroldo wrote:I set up the host file and now the shared folder is fast...sort of.
If I open Word and navigate to the shared folder, it just sits there. (it doesn't open)
However, if I go to desktop and click on the shared folder, it opens instantly and I can launch the *.doc right away.
I have the workaround, but is there any reason why this occurs?
Thanks!
I still have this problem, does anyone have an answer?
Thanks!
Haroldo
Posts: 15
Joined: 18. Apr 2009, 11:37
Primary OS: Mac OS X Leopard
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows XP Pro

Re: Virtual XP very very slow if using shared folders on Mac

Post by Haroldo »

Haroldo wrote:
Haroldo wrote:I set up the host file and now the shared folder is fast...sort of.
If I open Word and navigate to the shared folder, it just sits there. (it doesn't open)
However, if I go to desktop and click on the shared folder, it opens instantly and I can launch the *.doc right away.
I have the workaround, but is there any reason why this occurs?
Thanks!
I still have this problem, does anyone have an answer?
Thanks!
I've since upgraded to 10.6 and am using VB 3.0.6.

Still hoping someone has an answer.
Daniel.D
Posts: 2
Joined: 30. Jun 2010, 19:18
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: OSE Debian
Guest OSses: Windows XP

Re: Virtual XP very very slow if using shared folders on Mac

Post by Daniel.D »

I had a similar or the same problem but with Linux as host-OS.
Accessing Office files on shared folders from Microsoft Office 2003
was extremely slow. (Copying files to and from the shared folders, as
well as accessing files from other applications was OK)

Upgrading the Guest Addition to version 3.2.4 (same version as VirtualBox)
seems to have solved the problem.
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