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Edited later: [SOLVED] In addition to checking that my username was included in the vboxusers and lp groups, I simply added a filter for the USB-to-parallel cable. In the Virtualbox Manager (dialog at Virtualbox startup), choose USB, click the button with a + in it, from the list of devices that pops up choose the IEEE-1284 Controller device. Close the dialog and start the Windows Guest. Windows will say it has found a new hardware device. Choose Start > Settings > Printers and Faxes > Add Printer. Don't choose the checkbox to find the printer automatically. Proceed from there and choose your printer from the list, then print a test page. Worked for me.

I'm using VB 4.0.4 in Linux Mint Debian Edition with Windows XP Pro SP3 guest.

I have an HP LaserJet 4+ printer attached by USB conversion cable to the printer's parallel port. (The fairly recent BioStar motherboard doesn't have a parallel port.) I have installed the VB Extension Pack and activated USB 2.0.

The Windows guest doesn't find the printer. I tried adding myself to a group called usbusers and editing the fstab file per this tutorial but without success. The tutorial says to open Settings > USB, choose Add, and select the printer from the list - but the printer doesn't appear in the list.

Would really appreciate suggestions. The printer works fine in Linux and Windows in my dual-boot setup, just not in the guest install.

OK Undo all the stuff that the tutorial you used told you to do. That is very old and has nothing to do with it now.
add your user name to the lp group on the host and reboot.

Perryg wrote:OK Undo all the stuff that the tutorial you used told you to do. That is very old and has nothing to do with it now.
add your user name to the lp group on the host and reboot.

Thanks - I reckon this is right, but it doesn't seem to have cured the problem. I undid the steps from the tutorial. Hm, must be missing something. Do I need to create a filter in Setup > USB?

When I insert a USB flash drive, the WinXP guest recognizes it immediately. But not the printer connected by a USB cable to the parallel port of the printer. I'm wondering if it's a Windows or VirtualBox problem at this point.

I'm looking at a guide on the PrinterHacks website for setting up a parallel printer under WinXP via USB cable. Attaching and turning on the printer should bring up a notice "Found New Hardware - USB Printing Support."

Next step is Start > Settings > Printers and Faxes > Add Printer > Choose "Local printer attached to this computer" (but don't choose "Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer." > Next > Use the following port:" > choose “USB001 (Virtual printer port for USB).” But there is no USB001... in the list.

Which one isn't seeing the USB port? - Windows or VirtualBox? I'm stuck.

You also need you user name in the vboxusers group on the Linux host. I miss read your first post and saw that you added your name to the usbgroup and thought you meant vboxusers group, sorry.

Thanks - I'm definitely in that group, but it still isn't working. Stumped on this one, for now.

[SOLVED] as described in my edit of the initial post (see above). I'll copy the solution here:

Later: [SOLVED] In addition to checking that my username was included in the vboxusers and lp groups, I simply added a filter for the USB-to-parallel cable. In the Virtualbox Manager (dialog at Virtualbox startup), choose USB, click the button with a + in it, from the list of devices that pops up choose the IEEE-1284 Controller device. Close the dialog and start the Windows Guest. Windows will say it has found a new hardware device. Choose Start > Settings > Printers and Faxes > Add Printer. Don't choose the checkbox to find the printer automatically. Proceed from there and choose your printer from the list, then print a test page. Worked for me.