Newbie, image VM shared folders with Acronis

[markneidert]

I created my VM to run one program. The program takes over the whole machine when it is running. I have an XP host and and XP Virtual Box. I finally made a shared folder and it shows the VB guest everything on the host folder. I can add folders in VM or on the host but, updates to the folder don't show up between the host and VM. (I was able to create a new folder on VM and have it show up on Host but, I couldn't delete the folder. I didn't enable the read-only otion.)

If I can get the VM to update the host. I should be able to have Acronis backup that folder every night so I never lose more than 24 hours worth of work on this program.
Or, maybe I could tell Acronis to backup the directory on the VM. Except I can't even locate the folder on the VM.
E:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox

Anyway, what I am looking for is a way to update these files between host and guest. More importantly, I need a way to backup these files so they can be restored in case the worst happens.

Also, this program I want to run can accesses the internet. Will my current firewall and anti-virus software protect the VM.

[BillG]

Think of the virtual machine as a competely separate machine. How would you share files between two physical machines? How do you copy a file from one machine to another? The situation is really no different if one machine is a vm. If you want a file to be backed up by Acronis on the host, the file should be on the host.

Ditto for antivirus. It is a different OS in a different machine with its own Internet connection. It need its own anti-virus protection.

[markneidert]

Thanks for the help.
I wanted a VM to free up my main machine. I got it. I have an external drive that is always hooked up. I can transfer files from VM to external to main disk and then image. I think. Will give it a try.
Again, Thanks