virtualbox.org

Based on the advice of many developers, I installed VirtualBox so I can get started on web development. Installed it, then rebooted, then realized I couldn't connect to the internet.

I checked Device Managers and saw only one ethernet adapter and it was called "VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter." That alone cut me off from the internet. I moved my ethernet cable to my second LAN port and it still didn't work.

I uninstalled the VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter device from Device Manager and rebooted my computer. I was then able to connect. But my original LAN port is no longer recognized. I'm now stuck on my second LAN and can't use my first LAN.

I uninstalled VirtualBox until further notice. Anyone go through this before? I wish I had a restore point but I don't -- I had just installed the OS.

I have had this one, but it seems to be mainly a Windows host issue rather than really to do with VirtualBox. I'm afraid it is some time ago and I don't remember details, but I definitely solved it from the "Network and Sharing Centre" panel in Windows 7. IIRC it was by clicking "Set up a new connection or network" and following through the wizard.

Cannot do anything from Network and Sharing Center.

My hardware has disappeared from the device manager list. It doesn't exist.

Though when I plug in any ethernet cable, a green light comes on indicating that it does link up.

Nothing changes through the OS though.

I need to revive my ethernet hardware.

Since we are in a "Windows Hosts" forum, I presume we are talking about a Windows host.

I suggest you start by getting the host to rescan its hardware. Try Control Panel "Add a device" (in "Hardware") and let Windows look for anything that is present but not installed.

I must note that this may not now be a VirtualBox issue, and you may get help on this on a different forum.

Yes, using Windows 7 64-bit.

Rescanning doesn't detect it. It's like it's not there anymore.

Adding device does not show anything.

This happened all after installing VirtualBox.

Can't see how installing VBox would screw up your LAN.
I guess one of your LAN ports is on an expansion board.
Which LAN port works ? The one on the motherboard or the one on the expansion board.
Have you tried removing the expansion board (PC off) and reboot, then seeing what shows up in Device Manager ?

FrodoHobbits wrote:Can't see how installing VBox would screw up your LAN.

It wouldn't. Host networking apps may take a dislike to something in the Win driver, but it can't prevent the host from detecting hardware. In fact, if as far as the OS is concerned the NIC doesn't even exist, how could the VBox driver for it even be loaded? And the problem persists after VirtuaBox has been uninstalled?? Nah, there's something else - not VBox - going on here.

Actually it's the second report with the same symptoms. The first one reported that the host's network adapters were gone as well. Read my question and the answer (just below the screenshot) in that thread.

I found the other thread very vague. I tried to get the guy to be more precise about what he was saying, but things didn't really improve.

Sure, software can have bugs, but I don't see how they can continue to have an affect after the software has been uninstalled: and I see nothing along those lines mentioned in the other thread. I would expect host problems, e.g. hardware failure, hardware powered down, or driver database corrupted - something of that nature. Or user problems: mistaken about the hardware on this PC.

I'm not necessarily a novice PC user. I've been a computer enthusiast for 10 years now.

I have two onboard LAN ports. One of them is not recognized anymore. I verified whether it's dead -- it's not. It lights up when connected. I went as far as taking the CMOS battery out to hard reset all BIOS settings. Same result. In the BIOS, it is recognized as one of the onboard peripherals.

Just a clarification: Prior to installing VirtualBox, I used my primary LAN and it was already in the device manager list. After installing VirtualBox, I saw my ethernet device being entirely replaced with VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter on the device manager list. Even with that, I was unable to connect to the internet. Is there a particular hardware incompatibility? I use Realtek. Here's a picture: http://grab.by/uTFQ. You can see that I only have #2, not #1. And as an added symptom: I cannot download at max speed (10 MB) -- I can only download around 3 MB speed. I tested with another laptop and it downloads at 10 MB on the same ethernet cable. So not only did VirtualBox break my first LAN device, it also killed the speed? But I realize this is bordering on conspiracy theory.

It's very possible for a software to break other software (i.e., default drivers) just as I am experiencing it now.

I don't get it.
Obviously something went wrong with the installation of Virtualbox, and Windows networking has been screwed up.
You then blame volunteers at this forum, instead of searching the internet for a solution - you say you have 10 years of experience!
I would try to roll back Windows to before installing Virtualbox, checking BIOS, remove network drivers, clear the registry, reinstall Windows, e.t.c.

yiffzer wrote:I'm not necessarily a novice PC user

I didn't say that you were. Even if you were the world's greatest computing expert the possiblility of user error still couldn't be ignored. Everyone's a suspect until proved otherwise.

jorgensen wrote:I don't get it.
Obviously something went wrong with the installation of Virtualbox, and Windows networking has been screwed up.
You then blame volunteers at this forum, instead of searching the internet for a solution - you say you have 10 years of experience!
I would try to roll back Windows to before installing Virtualbox, checking BIOS, remove network drivers, clear the registry, reinstall Windows, e.t.c.

Jorgensen, I apologize. I did not mean to sound like I was attacking anyone. I am aware that everyone here is a volunteer -- thank you all for your time and effort. I searched the internet for solutions -- this seems to be a very rare issue. Not sure.

I'm unable to restore anything because I had just installed this OS and I'd hate to re-install because I spent the past few weeks customizing it to my liking. But I guess at this point, I'm SOL.

I find it strange, that Windows had not created any restore point for 2 weeks - usually it is done every time a program is installed.