WinXP Guest hangs on boot if network card is enabled

[N9YTY]

I have a VM with Windows XP SP3 converted from Parallels to VirtualBox 3.1.4.

If I do not enable a network adapter, it works great.

If I have a network adapter, it will not boot, it hangs on the Win XP splash screen with 100% CPU use.

However, if I remove the AMD PCNet adapter in Windows, then boot with the network adapter enabled, it will boot, add the drivers, and the network adapter will work fine. But the next reboot hangs again.

Any ideas how to nail this one down and fix it?

[Perryg]

Try one of the IntelPro/100 MT adapters. I think XP has the drivers for one of them.

[vbox4me2]

In advanced options you can set cable connect/disconnect, the latter sometimes let you complete driver installation.

[N9YTY]

Using the cable disconnect doesn't work, the adapter has to be disabled for it to boot if the driver is installed. Installing the driver is not a problem, just getting it to boot once the driver is installed is the problem.

Same behavior with the Intel adapters. If it is disabled (not disconnected, but shut off) the VM boots fine. If the network driver is removed it will boot and install the driver and work fine, but the next boot locks up. Same for AMD and Intel network drivers. Very frustrating.

I wish XP was as easy as OSX to migrate your settings, I'd just start over, but it's not quite that simple...

[vbox4me2]

I've never had such issues with vbox and the lan adapters, what can be a big issue is using port forwarding and then changing the adapter, that can lead to bsod's and such.

[neilb]

Hi - I'm experiencing the exact same issue with a WinXP guest that originally was a Parralells guest, then I converted to VMWare and now I'm trying to use with VirtualBox.

I have tried both PCnet adapters and the Intel Pro/1000 MT Desktop. All have the same result.

Please let me know if find a solution. I'll do the same.

Thanks

[neilb]

I have a solid workaround and I've booted about 8 times now with no problems.

Edit the network config in VirtualBox for this WinXP guest and DISABLE Adapter 1. Then ENABLE Adapter 2 and boot the WinXP guest.

Hope this works for you.

[N9YTY]

neilb - Awesome detective work, it is working here as well.

Bonus points to anyone that can now tell us why this works. I love solutions, but I like to know why as well. Still, this will solve the problem for the people I'm trying to help out with this issue. Many Thanks!