Can't use USB printer on Win7 x64 host

[mikemike]

I just upgraded my computer hardware and I am trying to get two USB printers to work in the VM again. The host is Win7 x64 (same as old). Installed v4.3.4 along with extension (was using 4.1.x on old system) and fired up an old Win7 x32 VM. I could not get it to capture the USB printer. I was afraid that VM was bad so I created a new Win7 x32. Had the same problem.

I have enabled USB2 and setup the USB filter for one printer. Previously, the VM would grab the printer and hold it. Now it doesn't.

I have rebooted a million times. I have reinstalled the printer on the host. I verified it is connected to a USB2 port, not USB3. I got to a point where the host would blue screen when the VM was started with the filter enabled. I downgraded VirtualBox and extension but it still blue screened. I finally did a system restore to start over.

Attached is the log for the fresh win7 x32 install with the USB filter enabled. It still doesn't work.

Any help would be appreciated.

[mpack]

Is there some reason why you want the VM to own (rather than just access) the printer? The normal practice would be to make the printer available to host + all guests as a share.

[mikemike]

Is there some reason why you want the VM to own (rather than just access) the printer? The normal practice would be to make the printer available to host + all guests as a share.

No. That is just the way I got it work last time.

[mpack]

Well, I'm afraid that getting a VM to talk to physical hardware can a fiddly, timing dependant affair. If you can do it as a network share then I think you ought to, and save yourself years of recurring grief.

[OmaSteak]

If nothing else seems to work, try uninstalling the current version of VB and install version 4.2.16 instead. Various USB issues appeared after that version and as yet may be unresolved.
OmaSteak

[mikemike]

I have used the same VM on at least 3 other systems and not had this issue. I was able to get the USB printers working without a problem.

I read most of the manual yesterday. The way I understood it was that the USB devices should just work without a lot of hassle. Am I wrong? I have never found that to be case which is why I setup filters.

I will downgrade and see how that works.

[mikemike]

Downgrade to 4.2.16 fixed it. As soon as I started the guest OS, it detected the USB printer that I had setup the filter for.

Thanks for your help!!

[Rootman]

USB has seemed to get a lot more dicey in recent versions of VBox. While you solution certainly works the above solution of using the printer as a share from the host would of likely worked with the newer versions. It also has the distinct advantage of allowing the printer to work from any VM AND the host simultaneously as it will not grab control of the printer from the host for its exclusive use. Give it a try next time.