"Guest Additions Inactive"

[ForestAryn]

This is my first time using VirtualBox so please bear with me So I got Windows XP installed on the guest, but when i try to install Guest Additions so I can use some of those functions, it seems to install fine, then immediately reboots (without asking me) and when it comes back up, it's gone again and I have to reinstall it. I don't even have a chance to use any of the features. Not to mention, the resolution is back to the lowest one and I have to update that as well.

Here is the actual text. But I know it's "available" because I have to go to it manually, on the D: drive:

The VirtualBox Guest Additions do not appear to be available on this virtual machine, and shared folders cannot be used without them. To use shared folders inside the virtual machine, please install the Guest Additions if they are not installed, or re-install them if they are not working correctly, by selecting Insert Guest Additions CD image from the Devices menu. If they are installed but the machine is not yet fully started then shared folders will be available once it is.

[multiOS]

With XP you need to install the Guest Additions in Windows Safe Mode.

[FranceBB]

yes, in general on XP they need to be installed while in safe mode, so reboot the guest, press F8 repeatedly until you get the option to run in safe mode and once you're there, login as administrator and install them. Once you reboot and you're in normal mode, you're gonna be fine.

One side note, though, is that if you're on 7.1.4 and your guest is XP x86, you're gonna be waaaaaay better off by sticking to an older version of Virtualbox as there's a known bug that is yet to be fixed in the guest additions (it's been there for 6 months). https://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/22123

[ForestAryn]

With XP you need to install the Guest Additions in Windows Safe Mode.

Thanks!

[ForestAryn]

yes, in general on XP they need to be installed while in safe mode, so reboot the guest, press F8 repeatedly until you get the option to run in safe mode and once you're there, login as administrator and install them. Once you reboot and you're in normal mode, you're gonna be fine.

One side note, though, is that if you're on 7.1.4 and your guest is XP x86, you're gonna be waaaaaay better off by sticking to an older version of Virtualbox as there's a known bug that is yet to be fixed in the guest additions (it's been there for 6 months).

Oh geez, ok thanks for the help!