Can VBox be set up on a USB Drive?

[Big D]

My OS is Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. I installed VBox on my USB drive (G:), but when I try to set-up my virtual machine and install Windows XP I get the message "Windows cannot find any hard drives on this machine". What's up? Can't this be installed on a USB drive? I wanted to use this USB for just my XP - HELP! Thanks . Big D—

[ mod edit: please do not abuse phpBB colours and fonts. ]

[stefan.becker]

Not supported.

[Big D]

Darn . . . OK . . . thanks, Stefan . . . back to the drawing board . . .

[wacher]

I have a virtualbox, which run on USB-HDD.
If you was able to start it, I think it's working. Did you get this error message in virtual machine, did'nt?
I have tried install an XP without any attached disk, I've got the same message. Did you attach a vdi to VM?

[mpack]

I have a virtualbox, which run on USB-HDD

This is an example of bad terminology confusing matters. E.g. I think you mean "a VM", not "a VirtualBox". VirtualBox is the name of the software.

On the other hand the OP seems to be using correct terminology, referring to the VirtualBox program being located on a USB drive. VirtualBox installs device drivers etc on the host, and hence can't be usefully installed on a removable drive.

[wacher]

I meant Virtualbox. I have virtualbox (as software) on my USB-HDD and I have VMs (virtual machines) on my USB-HDD as well. But you're right. The official setup is not usable as portable application.
I manage my own little "framework" (since 3.x something) and I use the Virtualbox as a portable software. I'm really sad that there isn't official support for Vbox portability, this is really, really great thing

On other hand I still think Big D has other problem. He was able to start his Virtualbox. I think if there are no drivers nor services then virtualbox don't start at all, but exits with an error message.
He wrote: "I try to set-up my virtual machine" => he has a running VirtualBox.
He got a message "Windows cannot find any hard drives on this machine" => XP installer (inside VM!) don't see any HDD. I made an VM without any disk, I got exactly same message.

Or maybe I'm on totally wrong track.

[mpack]

If you are right that he is able to a start a VM, then I believe you are on the right track. However I would be fascinated to know how the OP was able to select the USB drive as a target during installation.

@ "Big D" - which version of VirtualBox did you install? i.e. where did you get it from?