virtualbox.org

I have been successfully running Virtual Box on my Windows 8 computer for several months without any troubles--Including using my DIGI Edgeport USB to Serial cable. Recently I updated Virtual Box to 4.2.18 and also updated Windows. After these updates, the next attempt at using my USB to Serial cable failed. Matter of fact, it made a terrible buzzing sound on my computer and Windows 8 had to shut down. It actually even corrupted my .VDI file and I had to reload a backup. Now each attempt at using the USB to Serial, I have the same outcome: buzzing sound followed by Windows shutting down.

Looking forward to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Is there more information that I can include which may help facilitate some assistance?

Basically, the USB to Serial Adapter seems to work fine on my Windows 8 computer, but when opening my VirtualBox machine while the USB adapter is plugged into my computer, the computer crashes. I added a USB filter. Any thoughts?

I have no experience with Win 8, so this is only some hints you may try.
I assume the audio buzzing is Virtualbox that is going into a cycling of connecting and disconnecting the USB device.
First of all remove the filter, disconnect the serial adapter, and make sure Virtualbox is completely closed down - best reboot.
Then connect the USB adapter to another USB port, start the WM, and attach the device through the menu.
A very useable utility is USBDeview where you can control the Virtualbox USB attachment - http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.html

Thanks for the suggestions. With the software tool, I found that there are two virtualbox drivers (VBoxUSB.sys). One of the USB driver in virtualbox is still at version 4.2.14, the other is 4.2.12. My current version of VirtualBox on my computer is at 4.2.18. Wondering if I should downgrade my version or should I try deleting old drivers?

I tried deleting filter and rebooting--no luck. Should I have serial ports enabled? Port mode?

Just uninstall the VBoxUSB drivers, and a new driver will be installed when the USB adapter is attached from the guest.
Actually you can uninstall the serial port driver at the host, and still use the adapter at the guest.
You could try to use Virtualbox serial port emulation, but no guarantee it will work - the USB solution is recommended.
Two threads you might check.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=29034
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26860