virtualbox.org

Al Dunbar wrote:which is likely a red herring based on webcam aspect?

Exactly. Webcam pass-through is available on OSX > 10.7.

As for your actual problem, I did see your attempts to plug your hard drive (device 1058:0910). What I didn't see in the logs were references to EHCI, the USB 2.0 controller. Are you sure it's enabled in the USB tab of the Ports settings of your VM?

I've checked that again and am still having the same issue: recognized by VB and checked (not grayed out) but not showing in Windows Explorer, i.e., no way to actually access the drive. Here's the latest. Thanks for staying with me.

OK, I'm throwing differences between our two systems. I'm running 10.6.8 on a MBP (early 2011). You're running 10.6.8 on a MBP (late 2009). I'm not sure if any or all of them will stick. You have to try several of these to see if something makes a difference. We can't be walking one step at a time, because the thread is going to be 5-pages long...

• You're running 32-bit OSX with a 64-bit guest. I'm running 64-bit OSX with a 32-bit guest.
• Try to boot OSX in 64-bit mode. See: Starting up with the 32-bit or 64-bit kernel.
• Your system supports it. See: Macs that use the 64-bit kernel.
• See: How to tell if your Intel-based Mac has a 32-bit or 64-bit processor.
• You have a space (" ") at the end of your VM. Not sure if it throws VB off (highly doubt it).
• You now have enabled EHCI. Before you hadn't. It's a good start...
• Your VRAM is way too low (30 MB). Increase it while decreasing the RAM (from 2048 MB to either 1024 or 1536 MB).
• I'll repeat the question just for completion; your external hard drive is not a USB3 device, correct?
• Do you have another USB device that you can try? Joystick, flash drive, webcam, phone, etc. Just for comparison, I have 16 different devices, all of them working with no problems.
• When in Windows, go to Computer -> Properties -> Device Manager. See if you have any errors or warnings. Plug your hard drive. Check again.

I'd start with booting in 64-bit mode. Not sure if you have to re-install VBox. But it's the least painful way to try out.