virtualbox.org

I have a Western Digital USB external 2 Gb harddrive. Not only can I not get VB to recognize it, but I can't seem to find any instructions on how to fix the issue. So, I am thinking about using Partition Magic on my FIXED virtual disk (now 80 Gb) and rather than use the external HD, partition the virtual HD as 60/40... is this possible?

SpokaneDude wrote:I have a Western Digital USB external 2 Gb harddrive. Not only can I not get VB to recognize it

Well of course not. It's a VM, it doesn't use physical hardware.

SpokaneDude wrote:FIXED virtual disk (now 80 Gb) and rather than use the external HD, partition the virtual HD as 60/40... is this possible?

Why would you create a fixed virtual disk? But yes, it makes no difference to the operation of the guest whether the virtual drive is fixed or dynamic so of course the same tools will run on either. The only difference between fixed and dynamic is how it affects the host (specifically, how it affects the hosts available disk space).

I thought I read somewhere that VirtualBox would recognize external HD's connected via USB cable... no?

VirtualBox has a dangerous, expert level feature called "raw disk access" which can do it, with appropriate configuration - but an expert wouldn't be asking how its done.

Yes, VBox can see almost ANY attached USB drive, the issue MAY be the 2 GB (do you mean TB? 2 GB is tiny) size.

First of all are you configuring the VM to use USB? Check the VMs configuration in the USB section, make sure the controller is turned on. Then make sure that you have a filter set up for the device, while in the same section you turn the USB on and off in the VM configuration there is a list that shows devices you want to attach to the VM. Anything setup here will automatically attach once connected (barring other issues like perhaps the SIZE mentioned above?). Also while the VM is running there is a USB icon in the VMBox toolbar on the lower right side. If you have the FILTER setup then it should automatically attach, alternately you can do a single connection without a filter, RIGHT click the USB icon and select the USB device. Doing this without setting up the filter attaches the USB device for that session only, so if the drive is something you ALWAYS want attached the set up the filter - if you want it only to attach when you specifically want it to use the USB icon in the toolbar.

Also, you might want to check out the VBox extension by Oracle, this enables USB 2 and PXE boot as well as an RDP mode. It is limited to personal use though. USB access without it is painfully slow. https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

You think the OP was simply asking how to connect a USB device? For some reason his wording caused me not to read it that way at all, perhaps because he said there was no instructions. For raw access there is very little instruction, but for USB the instructions are in section 3.10. It would also be useful to Google "USB site:forums.virtualbox.org". Internal search doesn't index three letter words.

mpack wrote:You think the OP was simply asking how to connect a USB device? For some reason his wording caused me not to read it that way at all, perhaps because he said there was no instructions. For raw access there is very little instruction, but for USB the instructions are in section 3.10. It would also be useful to Google "USB site:forums.virtualbox.org". Internal search doesn't index three letter words.

Well, rereading the OPs question again one can't assume ANYTHING from it. I've seen others with issue like this, not realizing that they must turn on the USB controller and then define a filter or connect using the toolbar. I also offered the possibility that the 2TB (which is what I think he meant by saying 2GB) size may be the culprit. Without further info I offered a possible simple answer.

It also begs the question, does he really mean Partition Magic, an old DOS based partition editing software (now defunct) , or mean Parted Magic, a current Linux based OS / software? If he is trying to use Partition Magic (DOS) I think he is SOL, it simply won't see a USB drive in a VM or a physical box either for that matter, not without USB drivers in DOS - it just can't access it. If he's trying to use Partition Magic then he needs to forget it and DL a copy of Parted Magic and use it. it SHOULD see the drive, provided it's not a ~2TB issue that I know nothing about. I have 1 TB USB drives that work fine, I've yet to buy a 2 TB unit.

So, Spokanedude, did you get it to work? Do OTHER USB drives less than 2TB work on the guest? Which * Magic are you referring to?

Rootman wrote:does he really mean Partition Magic, an old DOS based partition editing software (now defunct) , or mean Parted Magic, a current Linux based OS / software?

Could be he means a product by http://www.partitionmagicserver.com/ser ... 4AodXgoA_A, which offers Windows 8 compatible software (definitely not defunct - you date yourself unnecessarily)

Wow, had NO idea that things was still around. I used it years ago until Parted Magic and GParted got good enough to be usable. Wow, that brings back memories.

If you look at that web page you will see that they name their product "Partition Wizard".
It doesn't look like it has anything to do with the old PartitionMagic from Powerquest/Norton/Symantec