virtualbox.org

Host: XP
Guest: XP

My virtualbox image starts just fine, but I can't log in or get my virtual image to recognize any input. I've tried:

1. Normal mouse movement and keypresses etc., but sometimes I can't even get the screen saver to stop (normal windows screen saver, it's not password protected or otherwise locking the screen).
2. If I do get the "Press CTRL+ALT+DEL" window, I cannot get the system to display the login screen. I've tried:
a. Right CTRL + DEL from the keybd
b. Insert CTRL-ALT-DEL from the "Machine" menu
c. Left CTRL + DEL from the keybd
d. Individually pressing every key on the keybd
3. I can't shutdown the image properly. If I close the image and try to "Send shutdown signal," I get no response. I have to either "Save State" or do the poweroff.

I have read the manual, searched the forum, and googled to no avail.

A couple other tidbits:
1. The image was originally created and used with Microsoft Virtual PC (MSVPC). I didn't do anything to convert the MSVPC files to a VirtualBox format. I simply downloaded VirtualBox, pointed it to my MSVPC files, and started it up. Note that I am using two harddisks: a master harddisk and a slave (with databases, etc.).
2. When I mouse into the image, the image correctly captures the mouse (or appears to - I get the "pointer is captured" message/indicator in bottom right) as well as the Right Ctrl key (can do Host + F to resize, Host to allow keyboard/mouse to be directed to Host instead of Guest, etc.).
3. Image appears to start up fine. I can transition easily to and from the Guest image; I just can't get the Guest to allow me to enter my password, shutdown, etc.

Have you checked the device manager to make sure that you've removed any MSVPC-specific devices? Have you installed Guest Additions?

TerryE's Q: Have you checked the device manager to make sure that you've removed any MSVPC-specific devices? Have you installed Guest Additions?

TerryE, Any idea what a MSVPC-specific device would be? I'm using this to test an ASP/SQL-Server app, so it's pretty straightforward in terms of functionality. It does have to HDD (one master, one slave), but VirtualBox handled that and started right up. I don't know that I've added any other devices as I'm testing the application (instead of hardware).

And, the short answer re: Guest Additions is no. It's my understanding that Guest Additions are added "inside" the image. Is that correct? If so, I can't even log in to add them...

Hmmmn, if you can''t send CTL+ALT+DEL then logging in will be problematic. Have you tried Safe Mode?

And in terms of MS Virtual-PC specific drivers, VMware has its tools; VBox has its Guest Additions. I am not sure whether MSVPC has its own equivalent which mighr not be picking up the std VBox devices. VBox emulates by default standard i8042 PS2 Keyboard and Mouse. If your XP instance isn't acquiring these then you could have the problems that you describe.

TerryE,

Thanks for your help with this. I will try safe mode and see if that helps, but I think I'll chalk it up to the fact that I'm trying to mix and match virtual environments and move on using MSVPC (since that's what the original image was created in).

Thank you very much with your help! I'd close this issue so we don't spend any more time on it, but I don't know how...?

Again, thank you very much for your help.

Thanks,

Curt

Do you have automatic logon set for the Guest? If you do, disable it and wait on the welcome screen. Your Guest is probably trying to install some devices, as they are different from what MSVPC virtualises. If there is just one new hardware found wizard open, any other devices won't be installed in the background. Only the keyboard and mouse are installed when on the logon screen.

I'm encountering the same issue using Windows Server 2003 as guest and host and an image that used to run on Virtual PC. Has anyone found a workaround?