Read EXT4 external HDD in Windows XP

[el_gallo_azul]

I know that Windows XP doesn't read EXT4 unless some third-party software is installed, but I'm surprised that my Windows XP client in VirtualBox doesn't read EXT4 since, by definition, it's running in my host OS which of course reads EXT4.

I've searched the VirtualBox forums but I haven't found the answer to:

What's the best way to be able to read (and write, I suppose) an EXT4 external HDD in Windows XP on VirtualBox?

Note: When I Capture the external HDD into VirtualBox, and then try to read it, I get the message "The disk in drive E is not formatted. Do you want to format it now?" as shown in the attached screenshot.

[BillG]

Sure your host can read the disk, but what difference does that make if you are trying to read it directly from the guest?

[mpack]

The VM doesn't read host owned disks, so it doesn't really matter how they are formatted.

If you want to access host files from the guest, set up a Shared Folder. See the user manual.

[Perryg]

Windows does not have native support to read anything but Windows formats. There is a driver that you can get that does allow Windows to read and write to the ext* formats.
http://www.webupd8.org/2011/08/access-e ... ns-in.html

[mpack]

I doubt the XP guest needs EXT4 drivers, since I suspect it's unlikely it has any EXT4 disks attached.

[Perryg]

What I read is they have their external drive in ext4 and while it mounts, it shows as not formatted. Which is exactly what you would see trying to read a foreign format.

When I Capture the external HDD into VirtualBox, and then try to read it, I get the message "The disk in drive E is not formatted. Do you want to format it now?"

If this isn't accurate then disregard and delete my reply.

[mpack]

No, on second reading you're exactly right.

@el_gallo_asul: I would still recommend that you access the external drive as a shared folder. Let the host worry about the filesystem. Ideally you would share just one subfolder on the drive, rather than the root folder.

[el_gallo_azul]

Windows does not have native support to read anything but Windows formats. There is a driver that you can get that does allow Windows to read and write to the ext* formats.
http://www.webupd8.org/2011/08/access-e ... ns-in.html

Yes I installed Ext2Fsd and it works.

Thanks.

[el_gallo_azul]

All: There are only very few particular requirements I have for Windows XP, which is mostly when a software developer has written something that will only work in Windows XP, otherwise I much prefer not having anything to do with it. Thanks for suggestions regarding Shared Folders etc, but I don't have any need for that.