Not able to connect to USB external drive on Windows 8 VM

[pinkstar]

Hello,

I tried searching, but did not find another topic on my question. So, if someone could please help me out, that would be great. I am trying to open up some of my files from my external drive in windows 8. I plugged my external drive with the usb cord into my macbook. I went to devices from my virtual machine and clicked on usb devices and I see seagate portable, but it is greyed out and I cannot click on it. I don't know where to click to get to the external drive. I appreciate any help on this. Thank you.

[Perryg]

Basic requirement are Extension Pack, user in vboxusers group. (minimum of log off and in before permission changes take effect)
But you need to clarify something. You post in the Linux Hosts forum but mention Mac. Which is it?

[pinkstar]

Im sorry I thought I clicked Mac OS. I have a macbook as stated in the post.

[mpack]

Im sorry I thought I clicked Mac OS. I have a macbook as stated in the post.

In that case, moving this topic to "Mac hosts".

[pinkstar]

Ok, thanks for switching this. So, once again if anyone could help me out on what to do to see my USB device on Windows 8 Virtual Box that would be great!!! I plugged in my external hard drive booted up Windows 8 on Virtual Box, but for some reason the external hard drive is greyed out under USB devices. Thanks for any help on this.

[Perryg]

How to install Extension Pack

[pinkstar]

Thanks for your response. I downloaded the extension pack. I have 4.1.18 Virtual box so I downloaded the extension to match. But, when I go to settings I don't see extension option to choose. I have general, system, display, storage, audio, network, ports, and shared folders. Is there another way to add the extension pack? I even tried going to ports and selecting the usb external device, but I still don't see the drive in windows. Am I missing something in settings? I have windows 8 64-bit. Please let me know if there is another way to get to extensions tab. Thanks for your help...

[Perryg]

Did you read the link I sent you? It details how to install the ExtPack. It is done through the preference in the main manager.

[pinkstar]

I appreciate your assistance with this, but in your link which I did read stated to go to extension for version 4.0.0, I have version 4.1.18 and I listed which options I can choose from which are: general, system, display, storage, audio, network, ports, and shared folders. There is no choice extension to click on and add it as stated your link. I downloaded the extension pack that matched my virtual box, but once again there is not an option to choose extension in the settings/preferences for the virtual box.

Does anyone have version 4.1.18 that knows about extensions that would know how to add it so that I can see my USB external hard drive on Windows 8 64-bit virtual box....any help is truly appreciated. I am a newbie at this, thanks!!

[Perryg]

You have to add the extension pack. Click the extension pack in preference and then click the icon to the right that says add extension pack when you hover over it. Drill to the location where you save it an click it.

[pinkstar]

Thanks for responding, but here is a screen shot of my settings screen for 4.1.18, please advise on where I would click to get to extensions, so I can add extension pack. Your help is appreciated.

[Perryg]

Look at the screen shot below, at the top left you should see File. Click that and then click preference.

mac_os_x.png (358.52 KiB) Viewed 11612 times

[pinkstar]

Okay, I clicked on file, but there is no preference. Please see screenshot. Is there another option? Thanks again.

[Perryg]

Since you don't know and I don't have a Mac handy to tell you where it is, use a terminal and install it that way.

Code: Select all

VBoxManage extpack install <tarball>

<tarball> = the complete name and extension of the one you want to install. The path must be absolute.

[rpmurray]

Preferences for VB on the Mac in under the VirtualBox menu. To get to where you install the Extentsions, use the following path:

VirtualBox > Preferences > Extensions