Windows 8 Store not working

[Owen]

Windows 8 guest seems to work in VirtualBox on a Windows 7 Ultimate Host in every area EXCEPT for Windows Store. I can browse the store, tell it to download updates and apps. However, the status goes from "Pending" to "Downloading" to error. No real information as to why there's an error, but may have something to do with the network setup? I did change to "Bridged Adapter" as suggested in some other online forums, but still doesn't work.

I tried installing the guest additions, but that caused more trouble (hangs on shutdown or reboot) and did not solve the problem, so I uninstalled them.

Oh, I'm using the latest version of Virtualbox (8.2.4r81684).

Anyone having any success?

[Perryg]

Are you able to browse the Internet from the guest?

[Owen]

Are you able to browse the Internet from the guest?

Yes. Internet works fine with IE. Also, I can use the store to Browse. It's when the store tries to download and install. I've noticed that the store is getting almost NO network bandwidth. But IE gets plenty. ??

--Owen

[Perryg]

OK So what makes you think it is an issue with VirtualBox?

[Owen]

OK So what makes you think it is an issue with VirtualBox?

I don't know if it's a VirtualBox issue or not. However, I have the same setup on two different computers (Windows 7 Ultimate hosts, one 32-bit the other 64-bit) and I get the same error. I've opened a support ticket with Microsoft and so far (the 1st level technician) has not been able to find out what the problem is. I've refreshed Windows 8, setup bridging network adapter, checked to make sure the computer is "trusted" on my Windows-Live account, etc.

Also, googling for the errors I'm seeing, the only things that come up are posts where the user is using VirtualBox.

Still not sure it's a VirtualBox issue, just very suspicious. Nothing ruled out yet.

Thanks,
Owen

[Owen]

Oh, I'm posting my VB logs to this post. Didn't know they existed until I saw them in another post. Anyway, maybe they can shed some light on what's happening...

BTW: I don't seem to see any network activity when I tell the store to go ahead and download the updates or apps. Very little anyway. Not sure if that's an important clue or not.

Thanks,
Owen

[mpack]

If the internet connection is working then VirtualBox is working. It's really Microsoft you need to ask about Microsoft software and services.

[Owen]

If the internet connection is working then VirtualBox is working. It's really Microsoft you need to ask about Microsoft software and services.

I just spent TWO DAYS with Microsoft support and they blame the virtual drivers and the virtual box for the reason the Microsoft Store is not working. The IDIOT even said it was because I was connecting to the Internet from a corporate LAN! Wow, Microsoft... REALLY?

I do have a device that WIndows 8 is saying is not configured with valid drivers (Base System Device) that the level-2 tech zeroed in on as the cause of the Windows Store not working. As always, VERY FRUSTRATING talking to Microsoft Tech Support.

Any ideas on how I can get this to work? Anyone else having Windows Store issues?

Oh, I'm running the Virtual Box on both a Dell desktop and a Dell laptop. The tech support guy also zeroed in on the fact the Dell does not have Windows 8 drivers yet for these machines. (I told him the VirtualBox is the machine, not the Dell host -- but...)...

Help?

[Perryg]

I just installed the free mahjong from the store to prove it did work to myself. So I don't see this as a VirtualBox issue (at least on Linux host).
Check the hosts firewall, and provide the following:

From the hosts terminal/command window type VBoxManage showvminfo <VM Name> --details and post here. Replace <VM Name> with the actual name of the VM. Use " " if the name has a space in it.

Note if the host is Windows you need to be in the directory that has VBoxManage.exe for the command to work.

[Owen]

OK. I've attached the vbox manage output.

The host O/S is Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit (I've also got the same problem on Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit).

Thanks,
Owen

[Owen]

Just for grins, I joined the domain here at the office (Since the Microsoft guy said that was one of the issues: connecting via corporate LAN without being authenticated to the Active Directory). Still no Windows 8 store downloads or updates.

--Owen

[Perryg]

This look fine. I see no issue with your settings. Assuming that you have tried turning off the firewall (host) as a test, I see no reason that you should not be able to get to the store and download what-ever.

As for drivers, this is a lot of hogwash. VirtualBox has nothing to do with the actual OS and is only providing the virtual network adapter that is required for Windows to be able to get back to the Internet. Since you are able to actually get back to the Internet this sounds unlikely to be a problem. Did you try to do an upgrade yet? I remember there are a few (which took an hour to install) and if they also worked or do work then I believe you can forget VBox as being the cause.

Sorry to say unless you can provide real information showing that VirtualBox is the reason (especially since I can not reproduce this) I don't know what else anyone from here can tell you.

Edit: I see you posted while I was finishing this. Are you behind a proxy at work? Is this a laptop and if so can you take it to a location outside the Corp LAN to test?

[Owen]

Yes. One of the boxes is a laptop. I tried it at home with the same results. I'll try it again this weekend...

I told the Microsoft rep that what he was telling me was PURE BALONEY, but he refused to listen and put the blame on the "non-updated, non-updatable drivers in the VirtualBox".

I'll try turning off the host machine's "Microsoft Security Essentials" security software to see if that makes any difference.

[Perryg]

I told the Microsoft rep that what he was telling me was PURE BALONEY, but he refused to listen and put the blame on the "non-updated, non-updatable drivers in the VirtualBox"

Strange. How does he think it is working for me then. Oh well good luck in your endeavours. If I think of anything I will let you know but at this point I am really not that interested in Windows 8. It gives me more shivers than ME or Vista. I can't imagine why a normal desktop users would want to use it, but oh well to each his own.

[Owen]

I turned off the host's firewall and security software but nothing changed. (Even got some hits of people trying to access programs on my machine while it was down)...

FWIW,
Owen