inaccessible files/folders

[nickstedman]

In Ubuntu 8.10 (host) I am no longer able to access the shared folder. It shows the blue diamond instead of folder icon. I also can't access the .vdi drive, meaning that it also has the blue diamond, and won't startup in VirtualBox. The same is true of the hidden .VirtualBox folder. I am most concerned about the shared folder which contains some important files (no, i didn't back them up ). Other folders on the partition are in tact...only the ones associated with virtualbox are no longer recognized.

I think the folders changed after recovering from some other non-vb problems related to partitions which involved tweaking /boot/grub/menu.lst and using testdisk.

I've been able to install a new XP on a new .vdi drive and map a new shared folder, all on the same partition as the inaccessible files. The new installation works fine and a new shared folder is accessible from both guest and host, but I can't load the old shared folder in the new guest.

I've searched the forums, but haven't seen this exactly. I'd appreciate any help.

[Perryg]

If you can not access the folder that was shared on the host (from the host) you will not be able to access it in any guest. Shares are started on the host.
Sorry. Just so you know, you are not alone when it comes to not backing up and having a failure. I see it every day.

[nickstedman]

Here's what the launcher says about the old system (which is called newXP):


The selected virtual machine is inaccessible...

Could not lock the settings file '/media/disk/.VirtualBox/Machines/newXP/newXP.xml' (VERR_PATH_NOT_FOUND).
Result Code:
VBOX_E_FILE_ERROR (0x80BB0004)
Component:
Machine
Interface:
IMachine {13420cbb-175a-4456-85d0-301126dfdec7}

[nickstedman]

If you can not access the folder that was shared on the host (from the host) you will not be able to access it in any guest. Shares are started on the host.

But why only the folder associated with VirtualBox?

[Perryg]

Can you access this from the host ~/.VirtualBox/Machines/newXP/newXP.xml?
Do a search for newXP.xml and see if it exists.
I will check back tomorrow.

[nickstedman]

I can't find newXP.xml, or anything to do with newXP.
The .VirtualBox directory is also inaccessible and is "not a directory".
I migrated this over to ubuntu forums as it seems to have more to do with the OS...??
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php? ... ost7188586