USB eror, please help - I've tried everything

[Tchay]

Host: Mac OS X 10.5.8
Guest: Windows XP 32bit
VB version: 4.0.6 r71344

"Failed to attach the USB device unknown device to the virtual machine.
CALLE RC: NS_ERROR_CALL_FAILED (0x800706BE)

^ this happens after I select the DETECTED usb device from the tiny usb symbol at the bottom of the guest window. It shows my Silicon Motion USB 2.0 SDHC Card Reader, but then when I click on it, I get that error.

Yes, I have the extension, yes I have tried using the filter, yes I have tried not using the filter, and yes I have tried enabling and disabling the ports along with the USB 2.0 option. I all I want to do is access this SD card reader on the freaking virtualbox. So that I can freaking WBFS format the damn thing, which btw I CANNOT do on my macook, since the only mac version WBFS won't detect my sd card since its not WBFS formated yet. Imagine that!

forgive me, lots of hours go by when things don't work, causing me to be annoyed. Any help would be appreciated. And yes, I tried searching this forum for similar problems. Found one kid with a similar issue. His post was completely ignored.

[Sasquatch]

I've sanitized your post a bit. I understand your frustration, but that doesn't mean you have to use big size fonts to make your point. Normal size will do just fine. Same as all caps, it's considered very rude to shout, which you do with that.

Now, as to your problem. Your Mac needs to access the SDHC card, but in order to do that, it needs to be WBFS formatted. Can your Mac create this file system? If it can, then all you have to do is use partitioning tools on the card. This can be done directly from the Host or a live CD. You might need to use the Terminal app for this.

As for the error you get, there are a few causes. One is that VB doesn't support the device to be send to a VM. Another cause is that the Host prevents you from sending it to the Guest.

There are some things you can try to fix it, but if all you have to do is format the card to WBFS, then it might be easier to go the Host way. What I do find odd is that you say it doesn't detect the card itself. Manufacturers pre-format the card with the FAT32 file system because every OS can read that. There might be something else wrong with the card or cardreader.

[Tchay]

The big font was to make it easier for anyone to see my problem, since my post was wordy. Why would I shout an error quote (I think that was the only thing in big font)? I said please in my title, no rudeness was intended. only sarcasm and annoyance.

Anyhow....I tried manual partitions but WBFS is more specific and cannot be manually done (I've been told at least). And yes, the card reader was already FAT32 but I made sure of that using a "disc utility" program that all macs come with (by reformatting it).

The mac version "WBFS manager" program seems pointless to me only because the program tries to detect a USB device that is already WBFS formatted right when I open the program --> "searching for WBFS formatted device...". But obviously I only need that program to WBFS format it. Which is why it never detects my Card reader; I also just bought it off Amazon a few days ago so it seems unlikely that the card is faulty (still possible I suppose).

Thx for your reply, and once again, not trying to be rude, so I apologize.

[Thomas211]

Try making sure your usb port is activated in virtualbox, than start the machine, and than plug it in... Usually usb devices seem to not work if osx already see's them, so run the vm to make sure it see's it first

[Sasquatch]

Why would I shout an error quote (I think that was the only thing in big font)?

The topic title was all caps. That's screaming for attention and usually gives you the opposite of what you want: help. People ignore such things faster. I've seen Mac users do that a LOT, so I mostly ignore such users. Using "please" doesn't help in that case.


What Thomas is saying, is to make a specific filter or an empty filter for it, then plug in the device once the VM is fully booted.

I've searched a bit for what you're trying to do, and all I see is that the file system is used by the Nintendo Wii. This would give me the idea that you're trying to run cracked games on it and we won't help you with that.

[Tchay]

Well if you are ignoring posts then maybe thats why users feel the need to, as you say "shout."

But yeah, I use caps to make the post stand out. Since I noticed another users post being ignored (and he didn't use caps by the way). If you take that as rude? Well, theres not much I can do about that. Maybe not be so sensitive? This is the internet after all.

What I am trying to do has nothing to do with the wii. And I'm not asking for help on running "cracked" games (I assume you mean backups). I am asking for help on using a USB device on VB.

But as I mentioned, I have already tried the filter. It was non-specific to begin with so I didn't alter those settings. But I will try plugging the device in at different times to see if I can get VB to catch it before my mac does. If it works, I'll make a post about it. thx anyways

[rpmurray]

There's a kext in the [hard disk]/System/Library/Extensions folder on the host that can interfere with the loading of USB storage devices on the guest side called IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext. You could try moving it to the desktop to disable it and then reboot to see if that helps. This will keep any other USB mass storage device from working on the host side but it could let you know if the host is getting in the way of the guest being able to use the card reader. Once you're done you can put the kext back.

[Tchay]

There's a kext in the [hard disk]/System/Library/Extensions folder on the host that can interfere with the loading of USB storage devices on the guest side called IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext. You could try moving it to the desktop to disable it and then reboot to see if that helps. This will keep any other USB mass storage device from working on the host side but it could let you know if the host is getting in the way of the guest being able to use the card reader. Once you're done you can put the kext back.

YOU'RE A GENIUS

It worked! Thanks so much

[Sasquatch]

I use caps to make the post stand out. Since I noticed another users post being ignored (and he didn't use caps by the way). If you take that as rude? Well, theres not much I can do about that. Maybe not be so sensitive? This is the internet after all.

You don't need caps to stand out. If posts are ignored, they are ignored because people don't have time for it or want to take the time for it (e.g. they read it, don't know the answer and move on, or the post lacks information, that sort of things). Shouting is rude when you're talking to someone who virtually sits right next to you. He/She can 'hear' you just as well without all the caps.
You call it "this is the internet after all", but it's bad nettiquette to use all caps. In other words, it's bad internet behaviour.

[Tchay]

I use caps to make the post stand out. Since I noticed another users post being ignored (and he didn't use caps by the way). If you take that as rude? Well, theres not much I can do about that. Maybe not be so sensitive? This is the internet after all.

You don't need caps to stand out. If posts are ignored, they are ignored because people don't have time for it or want to take the time for it (e.g. they read it, don't know the answer and move on, or the post lacks information, that sort of things). Shouting is rude when you're talking to someone who virtually sits right next to you. He/She can 'hear' you just as well without all the caps.
You call it "this is the internet after all", but it's bad nettiquette to use all caps. In other words, it's bad internet behaviour.

You wouldn't like the forums I hang out at then

Modretro.com in case you get curious...

I warn you though, there is a lot of shouting.

[swampf0etus]

Removing the IOUSBMassStorage kext didn't work for me. This just resulted in another error: Device busy with a prior request, please try later.

However, what did work is that I edited the filter. I cleared all fields except for the Name, Vendor ID and Product ID fields. Remote was set to Any, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it, as it was set to that from previous failed attempt at getting it working.

Hope that helps anyone pulling out hair!

[cmelo258]

I am also having the same problem.
Host = Mac OS X Lion
Guest = Windows XP SP3 32bit
VB Version 4.1.8

I have read all of the above and tried what I understand how to do. The Mac OS sees the Western Digital USB Drive first when I plug it into my iMac (Mid 2011 version).

Removing the IOUSBMessStorage.kext file did help, the Mac OS no longer sees the HDD when plugged in, but Windows does not notice it at all. Editing the Filter per swampf0etus's suggestion did not help.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Best regards & Happy New Year to all!

[Sasquatch]

cmelo, did you hear the USB connect sound? Have you checked Windows' Device Manager to see if the device is connected? What file system is on the drive? Why doesn't Shared Folders work for you?

[cmelo258]

Sorry for the extra post. I have tried my best to search this forum for the answers but searching for specific information is not very user-friendly and the PDF manual is very difficult to understand (for a newby)!

The external USB Drive is formatted "MS-DOS (FAT32)".

This morning when I tried to connect the drive again, I did not hear any connect sound and under Devices\USB Devices shows "no USB devices connected".

The Device Manager shows 4 items under USB controllers: Intel 82801FB/FBM USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 265C, Standard OpenHCD US Host Controller, and two USB Root Hubs.

Perhaps I am not connecting the USB drive at the correct time...when exactly should I insert the cable...before starting the XP VM or after? If I start it after, the Mac OS sees the drive first. If I then dismount the drive from the Mac OS, I still see the "No USB Devices connected" message.

I was successful in getting Shared Folders to work, but I would still like to have the ability to backup data to a USB drive.

Thanks fr your help!

[Sasquatch]

The cable should be connected after the VM has started. With a filter, it should automatically attach to the VM. If it doesn't, then try to do it manually, even if it means unmounting it from the Host.