virtualbox.org

This is an issue that another user reported with VirtualBox 4.2.6 earllier this year but apparently it still occurs.

I haven't seen this problem before on my machine, but yesterday when I installed the 4.2.16 update to VirtualBox, immediately following the installation of the VirtualBox network drivers, my network tray icon showed no bars and a yellow star, as if I was not connected, despite the fact that I am definitely connected and have Internet access. I am also only connected to one network and have only one active network card, so there should be no ambiguity as to whether I'm connected. I can't get the tray icon to show the correct status visually again even with a reboot (though on mouse-over, it does say I'm connected to a known network and have Internet access through it). As this did not occur prior to updating VirtualBox, and it occurred in direct response to the upgrade, and I haven't been able to restore correct icon functionality (haven't tried uninstalling VirtualBox), I am reasonably convinced that this is an issue with VirtualBox' network drivers and that it is the same issue that has been previously reported on this forum. Is there anyone here who knows more about it, has a solution, or should I file a bug report?

These kinds of problems that are reproducible should be reported to bugtracker. If you have not signed on to Bugtracker before you will need to select a new Nickname to be able to report issues.
It would also help if you can post the ticket number here so other can see the progress, add information, or see the final results.

PS: Don't forget to include the guests log file.

OK, thanks, I'll do that. I'll try cleaning out anything related to VirtualBox and see if that restores the icon functionality on the host, then if it works I'll reinstall and see if it's actually reproducable or if it was a one-time occurence. If it's reproducible, I'll submit my findings to the bugtracker.

UPDATE: Well, it doesn't seem to be reproducable. Though it definitely seems to be an issue with VirtualBox - uninstalling it immediately restored correct functionality to the network tray icon. However, I've tried installing it again (and uninstalling it) several times with different configurations of the VirtualBox Networking (no host-only, no bridged, everything, and nothing except the parent VirtualBox Networking selected). Each time my networking tray icon has retained correct functionality, so I'm chalking this one up to chance unless it occurs again with the next update.