VirtualBox COM Object, problem with XML

[dscanlon]

Hi there,

Running Ubuntu 9.04 on a Win XP SP3 host, getting a "Failed to create the VirtualBox COM object" error. Had a look at the XML indicated, it's completely truncated and looks pretty useless (see attached). The host has been acting up in standby/hibernate modes lately, and I've had a few arbitrary shutdowns, so I presume that's what happened the XML.

Question is: do I need to re-install VBox, and if so, is there an easy way to "protect" the current guest so I don't have to re-create it as well?

Much obliged for the help.

Dave

[Perryg]

I looked at the xml file in a xml editor and it appears correct.
The problem probably is that you had an error and this caused the VBoxsvc to fail.
When this happens you must go into the task manager and make certain that the service has been shutdown.
Rebooting the host will always fix this. The most probable cause is trying to use USB in a guest with Windows host and using a fixed USB filter.
Reboot then without USB enabled the guest start the guest and let me know if the guest returns.

[dscanlon]

I looked at the xml file in a xml editor and it appears correct.
The problem probably is that you had an error and this caused the VBoxsvc to fail.
When this happens you must go into the task manager and make certain that the service has been shutdown.
Rebooting the host will always fix this. The most probable cause is trying to use USB in a guest with Windows host and using a fixed USB filter.
Reboot then without USB enabled the guest start the guest and let me know if the guest returns.

Thanks for getting back to me. Unfortunately, I've rebooted the host a few times now, and I still can't get VBox to start.

Is there a "vanilla" version of the XML file I can use so that I can at least get past the initial error and try and boot up the guest?

Dave

[dscanlon]

I looked at the xml file in a xml editor and it appears correct.
The problem probably is that you had an error and this caused the VBoxsvc to fail.
When this happens you must go into the task manager and make certain that the service has been shutdown.
Rebooting the host will always fix this. The most probable cause is trying to use USB in a guest with Windows host and using a fixed USB filter.
Reboot then without USB enabled the guest start the guest and let me know if the guest returns.

Thanks for getting back to me. Unfortunately, I've rebooted the host a few times now, and I still can't get VBox to start.

Is there a "vanilla" version of the XML file I can use so that I can at least get past the initial error and try and boot up the guest?

Dave

bumping this: I'm just going to re-install VBox, just want to know which files I need to keep to preserve the guest install? Is it simply a matter of copying the .vdi file, or is it necessary to keep the contents of the 'Logs' and 'Snapshots' directories as well?

Thanks, Dave

[Perryg]

You can try to simply install over the original and select repair.
If this does not work then you need to uninstall and then install again.
None of the above should affect the VDI files or their xml's
If this does not help then you can (after you make a backup) uninstall and delete the virtualbox.xml file and the install which will replace the virtualbox.xml file. Then compare the original xml to the new one and try to add the content of the original in the new one. (you should be using an xml editor for this)
If that is not possible then you would need to re-create the VM using the original VDI file instead of selecting to create a new HD. (be sure that you write the VM settings down so you can match them in a new VM).

[dscanlon]

You can try to simply install over the original and select repair.
If this does not work then you need to uninstall and then install again.
None of the above should affect the VDI files or their xml's
If this does not help then you can (after you make a backup) uninstall and delete the virtualbox.xml file and the install which will replace the virtualbox.xml file. Then compare the original xml to the new one and try to add the content of the original in the new one. (you should be using an xml editor for this)
If that is not possible then you would need to re-create the VM using the original VDI file instead of selecting to create a new HD. (be sure that you write the VM settings down so you can match them in a new VM).

Thanks, I'll give it a go and report back.

[dscanlon]

You can try to simply install over the original and select repair.
If this does not work then you need to uninstall and then install again.
None of the above should affect the VDI files or their xml's
If this does not help then you can (after you make a backup) uninstall and delete the virtualbox.xml file and the install which will replace the virtualbox.xml file. Then compare the original xml to the new one and try to add the content of the original in the new one. (you should be using an xml editor for this)
If that is not possible then you would need to re-create the VM using the original VDI file instead of selecting to create a new HD. (be sure that you write the VM settings down so you can match them in a new VM).

Got it working after un/re-installing and editing the new XML with details of the old guest OS.

Thanks for the help Perryg, much appreciated!

Dave