USB HDD device doesn't work + troubles with file sharing

[lapezza]

hi,

i got an usb HDD device on VB 2.1.2 , using Ubuntu 8.1 as host and Win XP as guest...
i can see the device but i can't use it...

and i got problems with file sharing...
i can't move files from Host to Windows (in VB)

someone could help me please!

tnx!

[Sasquatch]

Drag'n'Drop is not supported by VB. If you want Host files in your VM, use Shared Folders and access them from the Guest. If you want to access the Guest from the Host, you have to set the VM to use Host Interface Networking, create a network share and mount the share in the Host. There are plenty of howto's on the web to get the mounting working with Samba.

For the drive, are you sure that your USB works as it should? See the VirtualBox FAQ for some help getting USB to work properly.

[hhabroad]

I'll point you in a little more specific of a direction, as I had the same problem initially. Check out this link, which is in the FAQs section on the main site: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/USB_on_Ubuntu_7.04. The 40-permissions.rules file looks a bit different under both 8.04 (HARDY) and 8.10 (INTREPID) but the change is identical, simply add the new group entry based on the new group you create, as in his example. Reboot, then your USB devices should all be mountable under your Windows XP guest. I do have one weird problem with a WesternDigital Passport External USB Hard Drive, which requires that it be connected to the guest at guest boot for it to function, but this is very specific to that drive.

Hope this helps...

[Sasquatch]

That rules file is no longer needed since Ubuntu 8.10. The fstab entry is all that is needed and with later versions, it should not be needed to change anything. This is on the todo and is currently unknown in which version it will be applied.