mounting usb (ubuntu HH host XP pro guest)

PatrickMoore · Post by **PatrickMoore** » 20. Jul 2008, 06:30

trying to mount usb in vb with windows xp pro as the guest

based on a walkthrough i found via here or through ubuntu forums i entered the follwing into my terminal
sudo /etc/init.d/mountkernfs.sh

i get the following error message...
Warning: mountvirtfs should be called with the 'start' argument.

any one know whats going on?

Post by **TerryE** » 20. Jul 2008, 14:17

All scripts in /etc/init.d are used to start and stop various services. There is a standard list of arguments that they accept, but no default, hence the error. But what on earth has mounting the kernel file systems to do with mounting usbs? I think that you are up the proverbial gumtree.

If you can't mount your usb in you host Linux then you need to search your Linux doc / forums not here.

If you don't have the PUEL version of VBox installed then you can't access the usb anyway.

bundabrg · Post by **bundabrg** » 27. Jul 2008, 05:15

I see you are running Ubuntu Patrick. The file to run is actually: -

Code: Select all

 /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh

You would run it as:

Code: Select all

/etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh start

However it would normally run on bootup. As VirtualBox uses an older deprecated method of accessing USB, you'll need to edit this file. See https://bugs.launchpad.net/virtualbox/+bug/156085 for more info.

- Brendan

Post by **TerryE** » 27. Jul 2008, 10:45

bundabrg wrote:I see you are running Ubuntu Patrick.

Brendan, I found the bugrep v interesting and realise that I was up the gumtree after all. But I thought you might be amused that I did a double-take on your initial sentence: "Ubuntu Patrick???!!!???"? I know about Hardy, Gutsy, ... but I've never heard of a Patrick! I scratched my head and the light dawned -- Patrick as in Patrick Moore

But on a more serious note we get quite few Qs on getting USB to work under Ubuntu, maybe you should write up a short explanation of this bug / feature here for those forum users who don't follow link chains.

bundabrg · Post by **bundabrg** » 27. Jul 2008, 13:37

I'd be happy to. I did have a chuckle at Ubuntu Patrick... you never know

Where would the the best place for a writeup? Separate forum message or some other applicable spot?

Its quite possible (indeed hopeful) this particular error will disappear when vbox adopts the newer (read: someone made the the decision and thus everyone needs to change) method of accessing usb. Of course, it will then cause the opposite problem of the distros that still use the old usbfs

- Brendan

Post by **TerryE** » 27. Jul 2008, 14:46

Have a look at how I did the posts All about VDIs and The Forum Posting Guide. Also have a look at the bbcode help. If you want you can just prepare it in your favourite WP and email it to me at this userID at OpenOffice.org. I'll mash it into BBcode and send it back.

If you use the topic-<post hierarchy to replicate article-<section then you need to have a second post for dicussions and feedback -- a bit like the Wiki Article and Discussion pages. Sasquatch is probably better qualified to review the tech content.

Try the google trick below to mine the forum for relevant content. //Terry