USB Flash Drive

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Windows hosts.
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rudywolf
Posts: 1
Joined: 23. Jul 2009, 07:05
Primary OS: MS Windows Vista
VBox Version: OSE self-compiled
Guest OSses: Windows XP

USB Flash Drive

Post by rudywolf »

I just installed Virtual Box. My host system is Win Vista 64 bit and guest is Win XB. I cannot get my guest system to recognize a USB Lexar Flash drive? I have tried to do it with the filter and without. Any suggestions?
Perryg
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Posts: 34369
Joined: 6. Sep 2008, 22:55
Primary OS: Linux other
VBox Version: OSE self-compiled
Guest OSses: *NIX

Re: USB Flash Drive

Post by Perryg »

This is the suggested way to use USB devices in Vista
You can either enable the USB in the GUI settings of VBox and leave off the filters (do not define any) then boot into the guest and click on the USB device you want.
Or Use a blank filter (.) and then boot the guest. Unplug the USB device and plug it back in to get focus and it should appear in the guest.

The device must be installed and working in the Windows host, so the first suggestion is preferable to the second for external hard drives. Still it will unmount (turn off) the device and then mount (turn it back on) it to the guest. For external hard drives I much prefer to share the drive in the Host and map it in the guest. Lots safer.

Snip from the VBox Users Guide
Section 13 Known Limitations Vista 64-bit hosts have stability issues when using USB
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