[SOLVED] VirtualBox won't open, failed to initialize COM
Posted: 20. Oct 2012, 02:27
Issue solved (sorry I'm new to this forum and can't find a "solved" flag).
I have been trying for over five hours to install and open VirtualBox 4.2.2 on Mac OS X 10.7.5. The installer seems to work and presents an successful install screen, but launching the application refuses to open, displaying the following alert:
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Failed to initialize COM because the VirtualBox global configuration directory /Users/username/Library/VirtualBox is not accessible. Please check the permissions of this directory and of its parent directory.
The application will now terminate.
--------------------------------------------
Upon examining my ~/Library folder, I find no VirtualBox folder. I don't have permission to modify that folder, and frankly, it's an unwise move to alter anything there.
I have tried running the uninstaller, tried installing previous versions, tried running the uninstaller from previous versions, have repaired permissions, have fsck'd my drive, have manually deleted receipts vestiges and /tmp folder files, have tried to set the configuration directory using VBoxManage to another folder (it too complains that it cannot read the non-existent VirtualBox folder, and quits).
I can set up a new admin user account, log in as that user, and successfully install and run VirtualBox. The new user does have a VirtualBox folder created for it in ~/Library. However, upon logging out and logging back in as my primary user, I cannot run VirtualBox as it fails with the same error message.
I've seen similar threads posted on this topic, old threads, with no useable advice. I'd appreciate some help in trying to open VirtualBox!
I have been trying for over five hours to install and open VirtualBox 4.2.2 on Mac OS X 10.7.5. The installer seems to work and presents an successful install screen, but launching the application refuses to open, displaying the following alert:
--------------------------------------------
Failed to initialize COM because the VirtualBox global configuration directory /Users/username/Library/VirtualBox is not accessible. Please check the permissions of this directory and of its parent directory.
The application will now terminate.
--------------------------------------------
Upon examining my ~/Library folder, I find no VirtualBox folder. I don't have permission to modify that folder, and frankly, it's an unwise move to alter anything there.
I have tried running the uninstaller, tried installing previous versions, tried running the uninstaller from previous versions, have repaired permissions, have fsck'd my drive, have manually deleted receipts vestiges and /tmp folder files, have tried to set the configuration directory using VBoxManage to another folder (it too complains that it cannot read the non-existent VirtualBox folder, and quits).
I can set up a new admin user account, log in as that user, and successfully install and run VirtualBox. The new user does have a VirtualBox folder created for it in ~/Library. However, upon logging out and logging back in as my primary user, I cannot run VirtualBox as it fails with the same error message.
I've seen similar threads posted on this topic, old threads, with no useable advice. I'd appreciate some help in trying to open VirtualBox!