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I am new to this and your help is appreciated.
I am running VB 2.1.4 on an xp host and an xp guest both service pack 3.
When I am trying to run the network setting in host interface the host crashes.
I am using NAT and can not get access to the shared folders of my host
I can also not access the other shared folders on my network.

thanks again for your help!

Shared Folders is only available after installing the Guest Additions. See the VirtualBox FAQ and Manual for more info on that.

Now for your HIF issue. Do you happen to have a Realtek 8169 NIC? If that's true, that's the problem. There are some issues with that adapter. Please update the drivers, that usually helps. Or don't use HIF, but then your VM won't be accessible from the network.

Sasquatch wrote:Shared Folders is only available after installing the Guest Additions. See the VirtualBox FAQ and Manual for more info on that.

Now for your HIF issue. Do you happen to have a Realtek 8169 NIC? If that's true, that's the problem. There are some issues with that adapter. Please update the drivers, that usually helps. Or don't use HIF, but then your VM won't be accessible from the network.

This was a fantastic answer.
The Realtek driver was the issue and now the network works great.
Is it normal that I do not see host in the list of networked computers?

Thanks again!!

If you use HIF, it should show the Host too. But sometimes it's messed up and you can't even access the Host from the Guest and vice versa. Maybe a firewall on the Host blocking access? Try to access the Host through it's IP address, see how that goes.

Sasquatch wrote:If you use HIF, it should show the Host too. But sometimes it's messed up and you can't even access the Host from the Guest and vice versa. Maybe a firewall on the Host blocking access? Try to access the Host through it's IP address, see how that goes.

I have no special firewall and the other machines on the network see the host.
How do you access the host through the IP address (sorry if this is a too basic question)?
What is weird that I can access the guest from the host and I was able to add the network printer (like I said the driver solution was fantastic).
On a different note, if I can access the network shared folders, why would one need separate shared folders in the VM?

Again, thanks a lot!

The Shared Folders function add an extra security layer, because the shares are for the VM only, not the entire network.

You access the machine through IP just like you use the name. So accessing it can be through \\<pc name>, but also through \\<ip address>.

Sasquatch wrote:The Shared Folders function add an extra security layer, because the shares are for the VM only, not the entire network.

You access the machine through IP just like you use the name. So accessing it can be through \\<pc name>, but also through \\<ip address>.

I am sure that this is stupid but where do it type the the pc name or ip address?

You got to be kiddin' me? Where do you type an address?

Sasquatch wrote:You got to be kiddin' me? Where do you type an address?

I knew that I would loose all respect but the only place I know to type an address is a browser.
I do not know where to type an address to go internally to a drive or folder.

Well, you have Internet Explorere and Windows Explorer. Don't they both have an addressbar?

Sasquatch wrote:Well, you have Internet Explorere and Windows Explorer. Don't they both have an addressbar?

Ok, I am a total fool because I have never actually typed an address in the explorer window but just used the drop down box (and I do know where the on/off button is).

Here is a pic about Explorer. Now where it says My Computer is where you type the address of the PC you want to connect to. Either name or IP address, like I've said in a few posts back.

I have also found out that the Shared folders can be accessed by navigating (by expanding and not clicking on the icons and I have no idea why that is important but it is) to:

My Network Places/Entire Network/Virtualbox Shared Folders

Then I can access the individual folders.

Also when adding entire drives as shared folders it is important to add "\" after the drive letter otherwise you get an error message.