[Solved] USB Attaches To Guest VM But Undetected By OS

[RetiredGuy]

Pardon my lengthy description, just want to be clear:

. HOST: W10 Pro 64
. GUEST: W7 Pro 64
. VBOX: Version 5.0.10 r104061 w/Extension Pack; Guest Additions loaded on VM
. SETUP:
. USB 3.0 (xhci) enabled for guest
. Filter limited to a Buffalo 'HD-PCFU3' device
Apparently works flawlessly as item shows up in 'Devices'
(Anyone know why I have to check it off when vm starts? Didn't need to before I added 'revision' to the filter...)

For some reason, the guest OS does not detect the availability of this device.
Tried 'Search For Device' - UNSUCCESSFUL
Looked into 'Device Manager', found the USB controller under 'other devices', but 'Properties' inform me that 'failed [err 28], no driver present'???

It's now *3* days of trying different things. I givew up

Ideas? Anyone?

[mpack]

Your guest OS Windows 7 doesn't support USB3 natively. You need to Google for and then install the Win7 xHCI driver (in the guest).

Bear in mind that VirtualBox is a hardware simulator. Just because VirtualBox has the ability to simulate given hardware it does not follow that compatibility with that hardware is conferred automatically on any guest OS you care to install. You need to consider these things before changing VM settings.

Incidentally, mass storage devices can also be accessed as shared folders, which would bypass the USBx issue entirely.

[RetiredGuy]

I don't profess to knowing a lot, but it's most difficult to believe that W7 doesn't natively support USB3. MS was pulling a fast one all these year, eh? Should thank 'em for when they added cd/dvd support

Gonna google for the driver. Any idea who provides it? (I'd assume some hardware manufacturer).
Hope to report success - and soon!

(Oh yeah - a BIG thank you for your interest [and hopefully, assistance])

[mpack]

I don't profess to knowing a lot, but it's most difficult to believe that W7 doesn't natively support USB3.

You credit Microsoft with a lot if you think they can see the future: Win7 predates USB3. We have had Win8, Win8.1 and Win10 since then.

[RetiredGuy]

Okay, I'm convinced. I ain't no techie.

Google'd: Win7 xHCI driver

Tried, tried more, and tried even more. Can't figure it out.
Even tried copying my host's 'USBXHCI.sys', but was unsuccessful at updating the absent guest USB3 driver...

Tried Dell - and failed.
Tried Intel (zip file, reported incompatibility [?] even though I know I got a c220 chipset) and failed.

Can you possibly point me in the right direction?

TIA

[mpack]

Strange. It's the top hit when I Google for it (xhci "Windows 7").

Follow the top link and you find:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/downlo ... set-Family

[RetiredGuy]

And not strange - that's what I got too.
However, I error out, see pic attached.

P.S. With respect to your shared-folder suggestion? Used before, but can't use it now.
Windows does not accept virtual locations as 100% valid (Not exactly clear on that; I know for instance that I can't launch an application from a shared folder).
Anyway, I've got a 40gb vm, w7, that I'd like to migrate to W10.
Seems MS needs more room to temporarily store the historical Windows.
I got no intention of growing the vm just to accommodate temp files.
If I get the USB to work, I can choose the option to store these files elsewhere...

P.P.S. Thanks again for your concern & help!

[scottgus1]

Anyway, I've got a 40gb vm, w7, that I'd like to migrate to W10.
Seems MS needs more room to temporarily store the historical Windows.
I got no intention of growing the vm just to accommodate temp files.

Add another vdi to the guest temporarily. Just like slipping a second physical drive into a PC. No USB required.

BTW, only Guest Additions Shared Folders have limitations in all the kinds of ways shared folders can be used. Real network shared folders in a guest can do anything a physical PC and network can do.

[RetiredGuy]

Okay, I'll settle for second best. (VERY creative solution, may I add!)
Just added a 2nd IDE drive (slave), and hope to be able to run the migration to completion.

Really curious about the USB thingy. But based on your reasoning, once I upgrade to W10, USB should cease to be a problem.
Oh, and I hope this doesn't upset you. My files are of the 'vhd' variety; once upon a time that was the "standard"

***** WHOA!!! ***** I knew not to hang up before booting withe new drive. Booted okay, informed me of new ATA software installed, yada-yada-yada. But Windows Explorer does not reflect it???

See attachments...

[scottgus1]

It's just like adding a new drive to a physical PC - you need to open the Disk Management tool - right-click Computer -> Manage Initialize & format the new drive.

[RetiredGuy]

Oops. My bad. Sorry.

Ran the Disk Mgr, chose simple vol, quick fmt, etc (assigned drv letter 'Z').
Just kicked off the upgrade. Fingers crossed...

[RetiredGuy]

GotMyUSB.PNG (13.35 KiB) Viewed 3072 times

You da man!
Worked a charm.
USB now automatically recognized (see pic).

B-B -N -Bu-But what happened to my shared folder???

[RetiredGuy]

Not even sure you're interested, but with a reinstall of guest additions and reassigning the drive letter to my USB, I' okay now (see pic).

Of course now I got a display problem where the guest screen isn' adjusted to max possible width, but that requires some research on my end, and if I end up needing assistance should be a new thread...

[scottgus1]

Really glad you got it running! I'm holding off on W10 for a bit until the bugs get cleared out (if they ever do in a Microsoft installation ) But nice to see it works!

[RetiredGuy]

EVERYTHING working as advertised - can't thank you enough for all your help.

Actually returned to post 'solved'; can't find instruxns how to via search or in the FAQ on posting.
As a 'Hail Mary' I'm changing the title to this message.

Again, a HUGE thank you!