[Solved] can't create shared folder

[oldfogy74]

I'm using Windows XP host with Windows XP guest.
After entering the information into the create shared folders box, it appears to accept the info, but when I click OK, I get the following message;

Failed to create a shared folder vboxshare (pointing to net use
F:\\vbxsvr\vboxshare) for the virtual machine XPaudio.

Shared folder path ‘net use F:\\vboxshare’ is not absolute.

Details
Result Code: E_INVALIDARG (0x80070057)
Component: SharedFolder
Interface: ISharedFolder {64637bb2-9e17-471c-b8f3-f8968dd9884e}
Callee: IMachine
{540dcfda-3df2-49c6-88fa-033a28c2ff85

What can be done to fix this problem?
oldfogy74

[Perryg]

you need to have a space in the line after F: and before \\

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net use F: \\vboxsvr\<share Name>

The <share name> is the name that you gave the share in the guest settings. It must not contain a space or any characters

[oldfogy74]

Thanks for the reply. I did type in the info with a space between the colon and the backslash.
I did it both ways; with a space and without a space, but the error message never has a space. I even typed it in once with a double space just to see what would happen. The error message never has space.
I have checked and double checked my typing and I always get the same message.
Here is the way I type in the info; net use F: \\vboxsvr\vboxshare where F is the partition where the folder vboxshare is located. I have entered the info in the settings page, and have also entered the info in the running machine under the devices page.

[Perryg]

OK fine but where is the share name? the name you gave the share in the settings of the guest VM where you setup the share.

The share has to have the net use F: \\vboxsvr\.........Something!
What did you call the share? If you called it vboxshare the it would be as follows:

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net use F: \\vboxsvr\vboxshare

If you want it to be persistant so it loads by default then add -p at the end as below:

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net use F: \\vboxsvr\vboxshare -p

Just copy the above and drop it in the command window (assuming that you have installed the guest additions) which you need for sharing to work.

PS I just noticed that I made a mistake in my earlier post that may have confused you. I followed your lead and wrote the thing wrong. This one is correct. Sorry for the confusion.

[oldfogy74]

Yes, 'vboxshare' is the name of the shared folder. I pasted your info into the create shared folder box, and got the same result.
If I can't get this problem resolved, I would like to know the proper way to uninstall and reinstall the VirtualBox program so that I can still use the virtual drive that I have. I had to reactivate my XP OS, and don't want to have to reactivate it again.
Thanks

[Perryg]

Maybe this will help you. This is the complete step-by-step to creating a share and mapping it for Windows.
Process to share a folder for Windows Guest.

• Close the guest (shutdown)
• Open the VirtualBox program and click once on the guest.
• Click settings and then click on shared folders.
• Click the folder with the green + to add a new share
• Click the down arrow on the folder path then click the Folder that says other.
• This brings up a browse window. Browse to the folder that you want to share and click OK.
• This will put the full path in your folder path line
• Click on the box just below that and type shared then press enter.

At this point you have created the shared folder.

• Now open (start) the guest.
• Click the program start button and then open a command window or click in the run box and type cmd and press enter.
• Put this in the command window: net use x: \\vboxsvr\shared -p and press enter
• After this the share will show in the file manager as a mapped drive.

All of this is assuming that you have the guest additions installed. If you don't then it will work for you until you do install the guest additions.

[oldfogy74]

Problem resolved. Thanks Perryg. It took about two minutes after following your instructions.
Thank you Thank you.

[Perryg]

Great. I have marked this topic solved.