shared files

[ponty]

Hi all.
I wanted to use virtual box/ubuntu so while using windows I can have write access to a usb pen drive with an ext 4 filesystem.
So I have already installed virtual box and installed ubuntu onto it. I installed the usb extension. so far all good, i can activate my usb pen drive....
I can see there is a drag and drop feature, a shared clipboard and also a shared folder, but none of which works.
I gather I have to install "guest additions" I mounted the disk but how do I install it now? I can see theres a 64 and 32 bit version of guest additions but double clicking won't install. I also notice the guest additions folder and a readme file with a terminal command (which isn't recognised in the terminal)
I only want to be able to read/write from an ext 4 drive, why can't all these things be enabled by default?

[loukingjr]

Hi all.
I wanted to use virtual box/ubuntu so while using windows I can have write access to a usb pen drive with an ext 4 filesystem.

First of all you won't have read/write access to the ext4 pen drive while in Windows, you will only have read/write access while in the Ubuntu guest.

I gather I have to install "guest additions" I mounted the disk but how do I install it now? I can see theres a 64 and 32 bit version of guest additions but double clicking won't install. I also notice the guest additions folder and a readme file with a terminal command (which isn't recognised in the terminal)

First you have to install a couple things. Open the Terminal in Ubuntu and enter:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get update

when it finishes, enter...

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install dkms build-essential

once that's done the easiest way to install the GAs is to type sudo plus a space in the terminal, then find the VBoxLinuxAdditions.run file in the VirtualBox folder and drag it into the Terminal window. Hit return. After it's done, Restart Ubuntu.

I only want to be able to read/write from an ext 4 drive, why can't all these things be enabled by default?

Just Because.

To get shared folders to work in Ubuntu once the guest additions are installed, you need to type this in the Terminal..

Code: Select all

sudo adduser user vboxsf

replace the word user with your Ubuntu log in name. Restart Ubuntu.

[ponty]

Hi all.
I wanted to use virtual box/ubuntu so while using windows I can have write access to a usb pen drive with an ext 4 filesystem.

First of all you won't have read/write access to the ext4 pen drive while in Windows, you will only have read/write access while in the Ubuntu guest.

I gather I have to install "guest additions" I mounted the disk but how do I install it now? I can see theres a 64 and 32 bit version of guest additions but double clicking won't install. I also notice the guest additions folder and a readme file with a terminal command (which isn't recognised in the terminal)

First you have to install a couple things. Open the Terminal in Ubuntu and enter:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get update

when it finishes, enter...

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install dkms build-essential

once that's done the easiest way to install the GAs is to type sudo plus a space in the terminal, then find the VBoxLinuxAdditions.run file in the VirtualBox folder and drag it into the Terminal window. Hit return. After it's done, Restart Ubuntu.

I only want to be able to read/write from an ext 4 drive, why can't all these things be enabled by default?

Just Because.

To get shared folders to work in Ubuntu once the guest additions are installed, you need to type this in the Terminal..

Code: Select all

sudo adduser user vboxsf

replace the word user with your Ubuntu log in name. Restart Ubuntu.

In fact I will have write access in windows. If I have a shared folder and drag and drop feature in windows <>ubuntu , therfore I can drag from windows into ubuntu/mounted ext4 usb
I will try these commands thanks.

[loukingjr]

In fact I will have write access in windows. If I have a shared folder and drag and drop feature in windows <>ubuntu , therfore I can drag from windows into ubuntu/mounted ext4 usb
I will try these commands thanks.

You're welcome. The way you worded your reason for installing VirtualBox/Ubuntu sounded like you thought you would now have read/write access in Windows even without Ubuntu running.

[ponty]

i've installed all these things, and the shared clipboard, and drag and drop feature doesn't work, and i cannot locate the shared folder? what else needs to be done, everything should be ok?

ohh ok, so i realise now that drag and drop does in fact work from windows > ubuntu desktop but not directly to the usb drive in ubuntu (no big deal) but would save a little time from transferring large amounts of files to one place then another. still the clipboard doesnt work.

[loukingjr]

i've installed all these things, and the shared clipboard, and drag and drop feature doesn't work, and i cannot locate the shared folder? what else needs to be done, everything should be ok?

ohh ok, so i realise now that drag and drop does in fact work from windows > ubuntu desktop but not directly to the usb drive in ubuntu (no big deal) but would save a little time from transferring large amounts of files to one place then another. still the clipboard doesnt work.

the shared clipboard only works with text and images you cut into the clipboard. you can't copy and paste files through the clipboard. the shared folder is in /media.

[ponty]

i've installed all these things, and the shared clipboard, and drag and drop feature doesn't work, and i cannot locate the shared folder? what else needs to be done, everything should be ok?

ohh ok, so i realise now that drag and drop does in fact work from windows > ubuntu desktop but not directly to the usb drive in ubuntu (no big deal) but would save a little time from transferring large amounts of files to one place then another. still the clipboard doesnt work.

the shared clipboard only works with text and images you cut into the clipboard. you can't copy and paste files through the clipboard. the shared folder is in /media.

ive used the terminal command sudo adduser ponty vboxsf and from device >shared folder settings: pointed to a folder on my windows 7 computer, namely users/ponty/downloads but cannot see this folder in /media, only can see my usb pen drive, any ideas?

[loukingjr]

ive used the terminal command sudo adduser ponty vboxsf and from device >shared folder settings: pointed to a folder on my windows 7 computer, namely users/ponty/downloads but cannot see this folder in /media, only can see my usb pen drive, any ideas?

once you create a shared folder you have to restart Ubuntu in order to see it.

[ponty]

ive used the terminal command sudo adduser ponty vboxsf and from device >shared folder settings: pointed to a folder on my windows 7 computer, namely users/ponty/downloads but cannot see this folder in /media, only can see my usb pen drive, any ideas?

once you create a shared folder you have to restart Ubuntu in order to see it.

please, i'm not that bad : P it's only the linux aspect i'm unfamiliar with, but i tried again with the terminal command and it says ponty is already a member of vboxsf.
so after a restart it should be done.. i can confirm from the taskbar the sharing folder points to a folder on my windows drive with files inside it, but in/media only shows the usb drive.

[loukingjr]

the adduser command is only to give you permission to access the folder. with Ubuntu open, if you go to devices>shared folder settings, is auto-mount and permanent enabled?

edit: it should say Yes for Auto-Mount and Full for access.

[ponty]

once you create a shared folder you have to restart Ubuntu in order to see it.[/quote]
please, i'm not that bad : P it's only the linux aspect i'm unfamiliar with, but i tried again with the terminal command and it says ponty is already a member of vboxsf.
so after a restart it should be done.. i can confirm from the taskbar the sharing folder points to a folder on my windows drive with files inside it, but in/media only shows the usb drive.[/quote]
the adduser command is only to give you permission to access the folder. with Ubuntu open, if you go to devices>shared folder settings, is auto-mount and permanent enabled?

edit: it should say Yes for Auto-Mount and Full for access.[/quote]
thats fixed it. thanks : )

[loukingjr]

thats fixed it. thanks : )

I guess you are that bad just kidding

welcome.