virtualbox.org

Dear Forum members
I am a new user of virtual box and by no means a computer expert being a home "hobby" user. Please can some one advise me.
I have downloaded and installed virtual box (latest version) on my pc (running windows x consumer preview), I have installed windows xp home edition on the virtual machine I created.
I wanted to use the usb ports on my pc when in the windows xp virtual machine: thus I understood before I could do this it was necessary to install the extension pack.
Thus I downloaded the extension pack, but was not able to install it.
Looking into it further, I discovered that to add an extension pack one adds a file with a ".vbox-extpack" suffix.
However upon investigation I found the extension pack file I downloaded had only a ".vbox" suffix.
Please may I ask - can any one please advise what I need to do to install the extension pack.
Your kind help would be appreciated thank you
Ian

Is this a Windows host? If yes then you need to turn off the feature which "Hides extensions for known file types". Then you'll be able to see what extensions files really have. The Windows default for this setting causes confusion and security problems, I don't know why they insist on doing it.

Dear Sir
Thank you for your kind help and advice in this matter. Strangely since posting the query I found that the version of virtual box that I downloaded and installed (the latest version) appears to have extension pack already installed.
My aim was to be able to use the usb ports on my computer (the host computer) when using the guest operating system.
Having ascertained that the extension pack was already installed, I went to settings and clicked on USB : after this I had to choose from an option of usb in a list. The good news is that when I attach the thumb drive (512mb) that I have , it recognises it!
However I also own a external hard drive "caddy" that converts an internal IDE hard drive to an external USB hard drive. When I switch that one on and attach the usb cable to the computer, my guest operating system DOESNT recognise that one.
Also, although my guest operating system has a printer installed, when I switch on the printer, attach its usb cable, and try to print out from within the guest operating system, it will not work.
I would be very grateful if anyone can advise on these matters.
Your kindness is appreciated
Ian

You need to add a filter to the USB section of the VM settings for each device you want the guest to recognize.