Plantronics Savi W740 freezes my VM

[cableghost2]

I'm trying to get my Plantronics Savi W740 (Phone) to function in a VM with Skype.

When enabling USB filter specific for my Phone in the VirtualBox Manager USB Settings, the entire VM freezes. To the point whereby I must restart the host, as I cannot 'Kill' the VirtualBox EXE.

W/O applying the filter, my phone is not recognized in the VM, as it is on my host.

Couple notes...this was a clean install with sufficient disk space and RAM allocation, and the Guest functions properly outside of this issue.

Thoughts?

My Setup:
Host: Win 7 HP x64
Guest: Win XP SP3 x86
Plantronics Savi W740 (Phone)

Edit: I'm noticing that it may be ANY USB device I try to set a filter for is freezing my VM.

-Scott

[mpack]

1. With the VM shut down, enable USB, EHCI, and add a filter for your device - all in the VM settings | USB.
2. Boot up the VM, make sure it has the focus, and plug your device in.
3. A "new hardware found" dialog should pop up. This is VirtualBox asking to install the USB filter driver on the host for this device. Allow it to install.
4. Give it a few moments, then unplug the USB device, then reconnect. This time you should just get a normal USB connection inside the guest.

ps. You must install the extension pack on the host before USB support will work.

[cableghost2]

1. With the VM shut down, enable USB, EHCI, and add a filter for your device - all in the VM settings | USB.
2. Boot up the VM, make sure it has the focus, and plug your device in.
3. A "new hardware found" dialog should pop up. This is VirtualBox asking to install the USB filter driver on the host for this device. Allow it to install.
4. Give it a few moments, then unplug the USB device, then reconnect. This time you should just get a normal USB connection inside the guest.

ps. You must install the extension pack on the host before USB support will work.

Thanks @mpack, however, following your instructions, including the reinstall of the 'Extensions' results in the same...freezing of my VM, to the point that I must reboot host to end/kill VirtualBox.

Notes: a) I never do get the "new hardware found" dialog, as the VM freezes immediately upon reconnecting the Phone; b) I tested this exact setup in a trial version of VMware Workstation 9 and it functions properly, utilizing what appears to be the same settings in a comparison of the two.

[mpack]

Notes: a) I never do get the "new hardware found" dialog

The device can't work in the VM if a filter driver for it can't be installed on the host. Make sure the "New hardware" dialog isn't hidden beneath the VM window. I've never had any trouble getting this to work on a Windows host.

Post the VM log file if you want to pursue this - post as a .zip attachment please. The VM log file is called "VBox.log" and can be found in the "Logs" subfolder of the VM folder.

[cableghost2]

Make sure the "New hardware" dialog isn't hidden beneath the VM window..

Not certain what you mean about this. I've already had it installed on the host, so there would be no new recognition, and to answer the Q, no, there's no pop-up/message of any kind in or outside of the VM.

Post the VM log file if you want to pursue this - post as a .zip attachment please. The VM log file is called "VBox.log" and can be found in the "Logs" subfolder of the VM folder.

Logs attached. I attached (2); they both seem to show identically when the VM froze.

I would provide a screen capture of the process, however, it would show nothing, as when I plug in the Phone, the VM immediately stops and there's no indication of any activity.

May I state once more that this exact setup and process has just been tested to properly function in a new VMware Workstation VM.

Thanks again @mpack for the input.

[mpack]

Make sure the "New hardware" dialog isn't hidden beneath the VM window..

Not certain what you mean about this. I've already had it installed on the host, so there would be no new recognition

There will indeed be a new recognition if you do as I described above, and you will be asked to install a new driver on the HOST which will be reponsible for filtering USB events and redirecting any from this device to the VM. That is how the guest gets that devices USB traffic instead of the host, even though its plugged into a host port. If you don't do this step properly then it will not work in the VM, and yes the VM might hang while waiting for you to finish this step.


As to the VMWare VM, I can't speak to that. I am describing how a VirtualBox VM works.

Thanks for the log. I have used it to confirm that the extension pack is installed and that other settings seem to be ok.

[cableghost2]

If you don't do this step properly then it will not work in the VM, and yes the VM might hang while waiting for you to finish this step.

Not sure what to say other than I followed your steps, as I previously stated, and the VM freezes. An install hardware dialog does not appear...my VM becomes immediately frozen upon plugging in the Phone. As a note...I do receive the install hardware dialog box within the VM with VMware, and nothing in the host.

I either have an incorrect setting, or there's some reason why VirtualBox is not functioning the way it should.

[cableghost2]

I have simulated the same issue on another computer (laptop this time). I did a clean install of VB + extensions and created a new HDD with XP. I needed to install at least SP2, and tried connecting my headset to XP SP2 and SP3 + all updates; same result...the VM completely freezes upon plugging in the headset.

I'm at a loss as to why VB is not recognizing my headset. I understand VMware is expensive, though is it that much more advanced than VB, as VMware had no issues in recognizing it and making it function properly.

[mpack]

Look, just to avoid any confusion: this is a user run site, where support is provided voluntarily by users to other users. I and the other mods and volunteers here do not work for Oracle, are not paid by Oracle, and so it makes absolutely no difference to anyone here whether you choose VirtualBox or VMWare or whatever. The implied threats are however still likely to piss people off and make them less willing to help you. In my case I think I've helped you all I can, so I'm going to bow out now.

[cableghost2]

Look, just to avoid any confusion: this is a user run site, where support is provided voluntarily by users to other users. I and the other mods and volunteers here do not work for Oracle, are not paid by Oracle, and so it makes absolutely no difference to anyone here whether you choose VirtualBox or VMWare or whatever. The implied threats are however still likely to piss people off and make them less willing to help you. In my case I think I've helped you all I can, so I'm going to bow out now.

@mpack you are over-reacting. There's no implied, or otherwise, threats. I'm simply pointing out some interesting facts; such as VMware can handle my setup should not rub anyone here the wrong way. My message was not directed towards you...sorry you took it personally.

[cableghost2]

I have attempted various setting changes and come up with the same result.

The question probably should be here...what is it that truly could be affecting USB Filter use? Is there one particular setting that needs adjustment possibly? Is there a specific amount of free RAM or video memory that must be allocated? Does the USB Filter feature not play nice between x86 and x64? I'm at a loss as to why the USB Filter feature is freezing my VM.

[mpack]

No, none of that matters. We've pretty much covered it all above. We're left with a situation which nobody else is reporting, but which apparently affects you with multiple devices on multiple PCs. That implies that the common factor is you and how you have these PCs set up. E.g. have you by any chance set them up so that you have minimal privileges, e.g. the right to install system level drivers on your host is automatically being rejected without even a dialog prompt? That's about all I can think of.

[cableghost2]

That implies that the common factor is you and how you have these PCs set up.

I could go with that; privileges...on the host side? Please explain, as I don't have any other admin-related issues with the VB VM and my host. I have my VM setup using NAT networking; I can share files, etc. without any issues.

A clarification...the freezing of the VM only occurring with one device, my Plantronics headset, and yes the freezing happens on two computers which I am an Admin on both.

[Pardon for continuing to reference VMware here, but it's a fact.] The puzzler...how does VB handle the virtual environment differently than VMware, and possibly most specifically, USB devices? If I had the same issue on both software programs, then I would certainly say it's me and how my computers are setup. However, the headset is working in a VMware virtual environment, which did provide me the 'install hardware dialog' on the guest side, etc.

[mpack]

As I said earlier in the discussion, when put insert a device while the VM is running, and if that device matches the ID filter set in your VM settings (and all other requirements met), then on Windows hosts a "New hardware found" dialog will appear - you would allow it to find and install its driver automatically. The "driver" in question must be installed on the host and it's the one which redirects USB message packets to the VM. I don't use 64bit Windows, but I do have a vague recollection of others mentioning that certain host configurations can prevent the user being offered this dialog. Basically there would be three config option: silently accept (deprecated), dialog prompt, silently reject - the latter of which you might have.

I have never used VMWare, so I am not in a position to discuss what it does or doesn't do.

[cableghost2]

Basically there would be three config option: silently accept (deprecated), dialog prompt, silently reject - the latter of which you might have.

Thanks again @mpack for the input. Let's go with this premise; how do I discover how my config is and how do I change it? I will note, I receive the install hardware dialogs when connecting fresh USB devices to my host...why would they be silenced when using VB?