Updating guest additions

[matteosistisette]

Hi,

When you upgrade Virtual Box to a newer version, what's the "normal" way of updating the guest additions? (which I guess may need to be updated sometimes with a new VB version and sometimes not)?

I would expect the guest additions to automatically detect when there's a new version available and to ask me whether i want to install it.

Today I upgraded to VirtualBox 3.10, and after starting the machine with the windows guest, a baloon message appeared next to the tray icon area saying something about guest additions, but I was not quick enough to read it and click on it.
I tried to click and rightclick on the tray icon of guest additions (which by the way is an EMPTY tray icon: some symbol would be nice; you know it is the guest additions just because when you mouse-hover on it a label appears), but nothing happened: neither clicking on it nor right-clicking on it did any menu or dialog appear. Is it normal??

Also, there is nothing in the Control Panel nor in the Programs menu related to the guest additions, or at least nothing I could find.

Do you really have to guess by yourself when a new version is available, and install it like the first time you install guest additions? (unless you're always vigilant when the system starts up and you readily click on the warning that appears for a few seconds, assuming it was about an update)

thanks
m.

[matteosistisette]

Well, after rebooting, I now notice that the guest additions tray icon does have a Virtual Box icon on it. However it sometimes disappears, I never catched the moment when it vanishes or what makes it vanishes but a lot of times it just isn't there and there is an empty space instead

[BillG]

Yes, you should update the additions when you update VirtualBox. You usually get a message when you first start the guest.

Simply installing the additions is fine. The install program removes the old additions before installing the new ones.

You should see the Oracle guest additions in Add/Remove programs in the guest.

GuestAd.PNG

[peezee]

Same problem here, didn't have time to click on the balloon suggesting to update the Guest Additions.

At this point I have NOT found anywhere explanations on how to install the update, where to download it from, etc...

I see nothing on the Oracle VB main web pages (...), and with google no luck either.

And I've found no way to update from either the VB app (when I ask for an update it simply tells me I'm using the latest release of VB, but nothing about Guest Additions) or from within the Guest OS (XP SP3)...

Mind boggling!

[Perryg]

Start the guest and then click on the device tab at the top left of the guests windows, then click on install guest additions.
If it does not auto-start the install open the Windows file manager and start it from the CD location manually and run it from there.

When you install an upgrade of the host VirtualBox it give you a notice that there are newer additions available and you should know how to install them as it is the same as when you installed them the first time. If however you have never installed the guest additions you will need to read the VirtualBox users manual where it is all explained.

[peezee]

Thanxx for the help.

Start the guest and then click on the device tab at the top left of the guests windows, then click on install guest additions.

well, when I do this the hourglass shows up for a couple of seconds, then disappears, nothing *seems* to have happened. Well actually on double check, now the Guest Additions "partition" (or virtual CD can't remember) on the guest OS does not show up anymore! Looks like it's been uninstalled somehow, though I just did an "Install Guest Additions" as you just explained...

If it does not auto-start the install open the Windows file manager and start it from the CD location manually and run it from there

I guess you mean the CD location on the guest OS, however as I just mentionned it's nowhere to be found anymore (Guest Additions were running fine until today).


EDIT: after restarting the guest OS the G.A. virtual CD reappeared, I double-clicked on it (AutoPlay menu) and it did install the new version of G.A., then asked to reboot to complete the operation. I assume I'm now fully updated, both VBox and G.A.

(just fmi (don't bother answering if you don't feel like), why isn't the "Install Guest Additions" menu greyed out once installation has been completed? Feels like I should run it again...)

[Perryg]

Let's go at this from a different direction.
Start the guest and the click on the devices tab at the top. Move the arrow to the CD/DVD tab. Do you see a check mark by guest additions?
If yes then click on unmount the CD/DVD.
Now click on the devices tab and click on install guest additions again. Does this start the install?

[peezee]

Ok, not sure if you read my edited post before posting yours, prolly not.

Anyway just did what you asked, i.e. since there was a check mark by guest additions (in the Devices->CD/DVD menu) I clicked on Unmount CD/DVD.

I checked in My Computer immediately thereafter and... the CD still shows up, although I supposedly just unmounted it...

Anyway as per yr suggestion I did a "Install Guest Additions" from the menu and had the same hourglass for 1 second, then nothing seemed to happen and hourglass promptly vanished.

Allright, well this is now taking more time than it really should, let's call it quit, I believe I do have latest G.A. now installed (well actually just checked with the Add Programs control panel and yes it's there) and am happy as hell ^^. No need to dwell any further, so thanx a lot again.