USB Problems (Mac host, Windows guest)

[danielcg25]

I got a Parallax BASIC Stamp Discovery Kit - Serial (With USB Adapter and Cable) for my birthday today, and I would post a link if Oracle would let me.

And I'm trying to use it on a MacBook Pro running OS X Lion (10.7.3), which Parallax doesn't support, using VirtualBox to run Windows 7 which Parallax does support. I'm absolutely sure the problem is with VirtualBox because the device works completely fine on my dad's Toshiba laptop running Windows 7.

The device uses a serial port to connect to a computer, but also comes with a USB to Serial connector if you have a computer which doesn't have serial ports. My Macbook doesn't have serial ports.

When I plug the device into my computer, the USB to Serial connector has a green light on it, which I'm assuming is good. When I tell the VM to capture the device, the light on the device flashes red and Windows says it doesn't recognize the device and refers to it as Unknown Device.

I have a Mac running OS X Lion (10.7.3) and Parallax only has a PPC version of it's software for Mac, so me and my Intel based machine can't use it.
I'm using the latest VirtualBox and a legit copy of Windows 7 Ultimate (although it won't activate because it's an "upgrade" version and not for clean installs, but it says I have 3 days to straighten that out).

Windows works fine, and I've installed VB's extension thing on the guest (Win 7) and the host (OS X), and turned USB 2.0 on in the settings.

tl;dr USB device doesn't work with my OS, so I'm using a Windows 7 VM and Windows doesn't recognize the device. If you have any questions feel free to comment or PM me and I'll be happy to answer them.

[danielcg25]

Bump.

[Perryg]

Not all USB devices work in a Virtual environment.
You need to post the guest log file (as an attachment) for anyone to be able to see if they can help.
Make sure that you have installed the extension pack for USB2 to work (on the host). How to install Extension Pack
You also need to make sure that the Mac host has not taken control of the port.

Plus a little patience. Most people are away on the weekend and I am not a dedicated Mac. user.

[danielcg25]

@Perryg

Where do I find the log? I have the Guest Additions and the Extension Pack installed.

[Perryg]

Right click on the guest in the VirtualBox Main Manager and then click show log. Save and post (as an attachment)

[danielcg25]

@Perryg

There's 4 logs, VBox.log, VBox.log1, VBox.log.2, and VBox.log.3.
Should I post all of them?

[Perryg]

Just the vbox.log.
I probably will not see it until tomorrow myself as it is very late where I am.

[danielcg25]

Well, this is weird.

I booted up my VM and plugged in the device, and Windows said Installing Device Driver software. Now it works fine.
I'll post the log anyway, it might help someone else with the same problem.
Thanks anyway

[Perryg]

That's because the Mac had control of the port. Just remember to *not have it plugged in until after you boot the guest and it should work fine.

[danielcg25]

Nevermind, Windows is saying Unrecognized Device again

This is weird, as it works fine on my dad's laptop and my iPod works fine on my computer (sync and charge).

[danielcg25]

Oh, ok.

I'll try it again like that.

[danielcg25]

Nope, it's not working.

I'm going to try Parallels, if that doesn't work I'm going to have to get a Bootcamp installation

[danielcg25]

Parallels is working great, so the problem is with VirtualBox. Sorry, but I'm switching to Parallels.

[b17jps]

After updating VirtualBox to 4.1.10 r76795, Windows XP (SP3) Guest fails to start correctly on MAC OS X Lion 10.7.3.
This is due to a bug in VirtualBox, with regard to the USB ports, turning off Settings->Ports->USB (and unchecking "Enable USB Controller"), permits normal startup of Windows XP VM, this is after applying extensions for 4.1.10.

[BrendanSimon]

My USB Smart Card was working with VB 4.1.8 on OS X 10.7.

I upgraded to VB 4.1.10 and my USB Smart Card stopped working. My OS X 10.7 install might have also been upgraded ??

I have just upgraded to VB 4.1.12 and things are now working again