USB Issues

[jstauff]

Hi All,

I can't seem to find a post on this though I do apologize if this is a duplicate...

I am running MS Vista x64 as a host OS. Guest OS = WinXP. The reason why I am running the VirtualBox is because the peripheral I am attempting to connect does not support Vista (believe me I have tried to force it to work without success). The driver is installed through a Java install utility. (The online FAQ even indicates that it does not support Vista at this time, so I am confident it is not human error.)

The peripheral is connected via USB and without it working on the host OS, how can I connect it on the GUEST OS? The GUEST OS seems to see the "generic device" however I am wondering if it first needs to have a valid driver on the HOST before it works through the GUEST OS.

Is this true?

[jstauff]

PS. "Enable USB Controller" IS selected within the settings.

[vbox4me2]

Have you read the FAQ or the QuickClick FAQ ?

[jstauff]

Actually, yes. If you are referring to using the PUEL version vs. the OSE version; I am definitely using PUEL. I have all options available for USB, they merely do not appear to be working.

Any guides I have seen on this particular issue are vague, merely indicating that it **should** see the USB device automatically on Win based OSes.

Again the Host CPU sees the device though doesn't know what to do with it b/c the driver can apparently only be installed on Win 2k/XP OSes and not Win Vista/7.

Therefore, my original question still stands, "Does the HOST CPU have to first recognize a peripheral BEFORE it can be used via the GUEST OS?"

[vbox4me2]

Basicly it makes not much difference who see's the device first, but to use it the Guest needs at least an empty usb filter and focus before plugging anything in.

[jstauff]

Oh okay. I had read in another thread that empty filters were no longer required. (http://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/1314)

For my own education, what is the purpose of the empty filter? In terms of functionality, what purpose do they serve?

[vbox4me2]

It serves no real purpose other then allowing the usb device to change itself while it is being grabbed, often usb devices go thru a type change during or after the grabbing event.