virtualbox.org

Hi, I have weird problem using Ubuntu 10.10 as host and Win XP Pro as guest.

I have followed all instructions there are to be found on every forum debating this issue. In the VB everything is set and found and ticked in the USB filter page. In the VM looking in the devices/USB all connected USB devices are there. Checking the little USB activity icon on the bottom right in the VM window task bar, all connected USB devices are showing as connected and active. And YES I have set the user groups correct to include myself as member and ticket that too.

The only little problem is that NONE of the connected USB devices actually work. Going in to the "My Computer" page on the VM (which is XP Pro) nothing is visible except the C: diskpartition. At one stage I had all the USB devices visual and working, but they disappeared the next run of the VM and since then I never had any luck in having the USB devices working in the VM, despite I can se them in Devices and USB icon in the task bar.

Is there any guru that would know and help me out with this strange issue.

Thanks, Chris

Depending on the version of VirtualBox the OSE version below version 4.0.* does not support USB.
If you have version 4.0.* you need to install the Extension Pack. How to install Extension Pack

Perryg wrote:Depending on the version of VirtualBox the OSE version below version 4.0.* does not support USB.
If you have version 4.0.* you need to install the Extension Pack. How to install Extension Pack

to make sure I checked your tip as well, but it was done already. It is very strange, in all places where one should see the connected USB devices, they are visible there. If I pull one device out, it disappears from view in all instances. The thing is, you do not hear the typical wav sound when you disconnect or connect a USB device to a computer. As I said before, one time I had them all on the VM at one time and after that they never appeared again. Well, I have to continue to scratch my head and getting even more less hair on it.

Chris

With Linux as host all that is required is as follows.

• 1) user name must be in the vboxusers group
  2) for printers user name must be in the lp group
  3) with version 4.0.* you need the Extension Pack.

OSE version before version 4.0.* do not have USB support.
Make sure about the vboxusers group. I have seen it go away due to removing and installing VirtualBox. Don't assume that since you put it in there once that it is still there. A logout is minimal when adding users to groups (permission changes) and a reboot may be necessary.

Perryg wrote:With Linux as host all that is required is as follows.

• 1) user name must be in the vboxusers group
  2) for printers user name must be in the lp group
  3) with version 4.0.* you need the Extension Pack.

OSE version before version 4.0.* do not have USB support.
Make sure about the vboxusers group. I have seen it go away due to removing and installing VirtualBox. Don't assume that since you put it in there once that it is still there. A logout is minimal when adding users to groups (permission changes) and a reboot may be necessary.

Thanks Perry G, I will check this again, especially the printer group. If things are still not working I will try a remove and reinstall of the VB and all the settings.