VBox does not see Net connection to install MS Live Writer

[oao]

I am running 32bit Windows XP 32 in a Vbox on Windows XP 64.

I tried to install MS Windows Live writer in the Vbox and it failed complaining that I must have an Internet connection to do that.

But I do -- Internet Explorer works just fine.

Please advise. Thanks.

[Perryg]

You should contact Microsoft about this.
You may want to check firewall rules as well and virus software that can also cause this issue.

[oao]

I don't think MS supports their product in Vbox -- they would refer me back to the mfgr of Vbox.

When firewall/AV have a problem, they issue a prompt to the user, but not in this case.
Neither do I have any idea how Vbox operates on a guest with a firewall and AV.

[BillG]

Let me put it this way. It is much more likely to be a Microsoft problem than a VirtualBox problem. Have a look at the Windows Live forums.

social.microsoft.com/Forums/en/categories

[oao]

I'm gonna try and do that but it may take me a while, there seems to be a problem validating my account.

In the meantime I noticed on some site that to install MS Live Writer they advise to install guest additions. I tried to, but when I click on Devices|Add guest additions nothing happens. Does this mean they are already installed or is that a problem? Thanks.

[mpack]

You should definitely install the guest additions for a variety of reasons, but I can't think of anything in them that influences network connections. As to your problem, you might try selecting bridged networking in the VM settings: perhaps your guest is trying to do something that's beyond what a basic NAT connection can handle.

[oao]

Yes, but the question was why nothing happens when I try to install Guest additions--does this mean they're already installed or is it a problem?

[Perryg]

It more than likely means that auto-mount is not working for you.
Open the file manager and go to the CD/DVD drive and start it manually.

[oao]

Does this mean there is supposed to be some CD or DVD in the drive, to install from? If so, which?

[mpack]

If you used the Device | Install Guest Additions... menu option then you'll find the VBoxGuestAdditions.iso virtual CD file has already been mounted in the VM, whether or not the setup exe ran. This ISO ships as part of VBox. Please read chapter 4 of the user manual.

[oao]

Well, since you say the guest additions are likely not related to the problem and since I have no other problems, I will deal with this later

I checked the network setting and it says "Interl BRIDGED adapter" -- is that what you were referring to?

I have not gotten any response in the Windows Live Writer forum.

[oao]

I upgraded Vbox to latest version 4.1.4 and installed the expension pack (necessary for USB2) and the problem persists.

[oao]

I thought that if I give more details about my configuration somebody will be able to figure out a solution.

VirtualBox 4.1.4 with expansion pack. XP32 VM on XP64 guest.

Adapter 1: PCnet-FAST III (Bridged adapter, Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection) (host-only)

Internet Explorer connects just fine to the Net. It even completed an error report to MS when I updated to IE8

But when I try to download, it says "preparing the install" for quite a while and then says "you must have an internat connection to install".

[mpack]

Well, we've verified that your internet connection is working well enough for IE to run, and using Bridged proves that NAT restrictions don't seem to be the source of your problem, so VBox seems to be doing its job. Hence, as Perry suggested way back in the second message, it looks like you'll need to approach MS for support on this problem.

[oao]

Well, I already did, in two different places: their own LWriter forum and the CNet Live forum. The former did not respond, the latter referred me to a workaround to run LWriter on XP64 which requires installation in xp32 first. Well, that's what I am trying to do with VirtualBox.
I continue to wait, but if I had to guess, I probably won't get much from there, as I expected.

I could not locate any contact for LWriter support from MS, so I contacted some other dept in MS and ask them to refer me. I suspect they don't offer free support to free software, except via the forum.