virtualbox.org

Hi,

I am currently running ubuntu partitioned on my hardrive, I have installed xp successfully within virtualbox, I would now like to be able to view my files etc on the original version of xp currently installed on the pc , How on earth do I do this ?

Any help greatly appreciated

Regards

Bildaman

You can mount the drive in linux and use the Shared Folder feature that is possible after you install the Guest Additions. You can also use RAW Disk Access, but that is not recommended, as it could screw up your data if you use it and mount the drive in the Host at the same time.

Thanks for that,

How do I work out the file path ? thats the bit I am struggling with.

I am new to ubuntu and virtualbox , but loving every minute of it.

Bildaman

Download the VirtualBox user manual. Search for "Folder sharing" and "Shared folder".

The easiest way (for me) is to use the GUI to do the work, but there is a way to do this from the command-line as well:

1) start your Windows guest (make sure you have guest additions installed)
2) on the VB guest window, click on "Devices -> Shared folders..."
3) click on the "+" to add a new shared folder
4) click on the "down arrow" and select "other"
5) pick a path from your linux host you want to share -- for example, you home directory, or maybe your desktop; click on "choose"
6) type in a "Folder name"; this is the name by which the shared folder will be known
7) toggle the "read-only" and "make permanent" switches as you see fit
8) click OK to create the share
9) click OK to close the "Shared Folders" dialog
10) in your Windows guest, open up "My Computer"
11) click on Tools -> Map Network Drive
12) select a drive letter
13) click on "Browse"
14) look for "VirtualBox Shared Folders"; click on the "+" to expand
15) select your newly-created share
16) click on OK

Stéphane

10) in your Windows guest, open up "My Computer"
11) click on Tools -> Map Network Drive
12) select a drive letter
13) click on "Browse"
14) look for "VirtualBox Shared Folders"; click on the "+" to expand
15) select your newly-created share
16) click on OK

I can't see on browsing "VirtualBox Shared Folders". Only "Microsoft Windows Network" -> Mshome. What should I do?

Tried also, without luck, manually insert in "folder" path to shared folder: "//vboxsrv/test". And of course, in that case I have created shared folder on host: /home/ealho/test

EDIT: Oops... just installed guest addons and now it works!

Sorry to bother, stupid me.

I'm in your same situation. I can't see any "VirtualBox Shared Folders" and I have the addon installed.

Any other advice?

cditty wrote:I'm in your same situation. I can't see any "VirtualBox Shared Folders" and I have the addon installed.

So...you get through my detailed steps above, and get to step #14, and see nothing?

What OS are you running for host & guest? What version of VirtualBox? Did you reboot the guest after installing the guest additions?

Stéphane

I figured it out.

I needed to do the VBoxManage command first.

I'm using the latest version. Downloaded 3 days ago.

cditty wrote:I needed to do the VBoxManage command first.

I've never before run VBoxManage. What exactly was the command you ran that helped?

Stéphane

VBoxManager sharedfolder add "Windows XP Professional" -name "VirtualFiles" -hostpath "/home/cditty/Shared\ Files/"

cditty wrote:VBoxManager sharedfolder add "Windows XP Professional" -name "VirtualFiles" -hostpath "/home/cditty/Shared\ Files/"

That is essentially the same as using the GUI VM settings, or right click on the Shared Folder icon in the Guest Window when it's running and define one there.