virtualbox.org

Hi All,

First time I've been on the forum. I did search but didn't find anything specific but please do point me to the right place if I've missed it.

My issue:

I have been using Windows XP to run a remote camera control application called Sebectec that controls Olympus SP500 cameras through USB. It also works in Windows 7.

I was previously using VMWare Fusion (2.x on MacOS X 10.6) but decided over the holidays to host it on my Yosemite box. I subsequently discovered Virtual Box! Free emulation!! WHAT!?

Anyway, I've installed XP and all is fine for the most part. The strange behaviour comes when interacting with the USB devices.

It seems that whenever the computer puts the display to sleep, or the guest OS VB is either hidden or minimized in the dock, then the USB devices are lost. I have to unplug the USB device completely from the Mac in order for it to be recognized again. So I'm not sure if this is a VBox issue or a Yosemite issue. However, I do not see this behaviour if there is no VBox running, so I suspect it to be VBox specific.

This happens running the USB devices through all guest OS's I've tried. Windows XP (SP2 and SP3), Windows 7, and Ubuntu.

I've added the USB devices to the 'filter' options in the ports and it all works fine if I leave the VBox window up and visible at all times, but it is strange that I can't minimize it or have it startup hidden (which is what I'd prefer as it is meant to run at all times)

Cheers,
Chris

Over five years ago I experienced such USB behavior. That stopped when in the guests 1) disabled the Screen Saver and 2) set Power Management to never sleep. The host may sleep (password and all that clutter), but the guests are oblivious of the fact.