virtualbox.org

I am happily using Windows 7 on my iMac.

But I don't understand how open my USB external Hard Disk from within windows 7.

I tried using USB filter but it doesn't work.

Could anybody help me step by step?

Many thanks.

First you need to give us more details about your system and what version of VirtualBox you are running.

I'm having the same problem. I can see my external drive when I click on devices, but it's grayed out so I can't choose it. MacBook Pro running OSX Leopard as host, Windows XP as guest.

Latest version of VirtualBox. (3.1.4)

I'm having the same problem.

Using VirtualBox 3.1.4 on Mac OS X 10.6.2, I can't seem to access an external USB-interface SATA drive that works just fine under 3.1.4 with Windows 7. I created the USB filter, but I don't see the drive. A couple of versions back -- can't say which specifically -- this worked.

If it matters, the external drive is formatted as ZFS, and the guest OS is OpenSolaris b134.

One of the other topics had a message from the developers saying that the problems capturing USB devices is a glitch in 3.1.4 and should be fixed in 3.1.6.

dmcgraw wrote:First you need to give us more details about your system and what version of VirtualBox you are running.

Ok:

On Snow Leopard Mac OS X 10.6.2 as Host, using VirtualBox Ver. 3.1.4 , I try to connect Windows 7 as client, to my external Hard Disk using a USB port.

I can see that HD but it is gray out so I cannot open it.

Please tell me how could I use my USB Hard Disk.

Thanks.

I hope the next version with this fix is soon. USB support in this latest version (3.1.4) is absolutely horrible.

Same here, I am running Windows XP and Linux guests on Mac OS X host but my external hdd is grayed out on both operating system on 3.1.4 arrrrrgggg.

Why you can not open usb support source code? this usb thing is never ending story with virtualbox.

vbpenguin wrote:Same here, I am running Windows XP and Linux guests on Mac OS X host but my external hdd is grayed out on both operating system on 3.1.4 arrrrrgggg.

Why you can not open usb support source code? this usb thing is never ending story with virtualbox.

Quite frustrating indeed! A pc without USB ports is useless!

Did not know that it was a common issue. I am new to VB, running 3.1.6 on MacOS Leopard. Can not open my external HDD on Windows XP, grayed out as mentioned in earlier posts. Seems like there is no solution to it yet, and need to wait for an update.

Come on VB, a usb connection should not be a problem on such a developed environment.

Running 10.6.3 as host on not experiencing any problems with 3.1.6, that I have noticed

same problem...
Snow Leopard 10.6.3; Macbook 2009; HDD Maxtor One Touch [0125] in Virtual box 3.1.6 running Windows XP is gray colored and usb filters option don't work.
please help i´m looking for a solution in several forums and don't find the answear, only linux solutions.
please help.

If you installed 3.1.6 over 3.1.4,

On the dmg file for 3.1.6 is "VirtualBox_Uninstall_tool" - you need to use it
I then rebooted OS X to make sure 3.1.4 effects were gone
Then installed VirtualBox again and USB functionality was returned for external hard drives.

I do notice that an USB external hard drive needs to be ejected from OS X
and then unplugged and plugged in for the VM to capture the drive.
I prefer the processing for USB stick drives - easier to understand/use.

Edited: 2010-04-10 I run OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3 (combo install)

Well, i have VirtualBox 3.1.6 and MacOs 10.6.3, but still no USB Devices...

Any Help appreciated...