virtualbox.org

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?

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

Have you read the FAQ or the QuickClick FAQ ?

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?"

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.

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?

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.