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Printer not working

Posted: 11. Sep 2008, 12:28
by smilingfrog
Hi,
I am running Ubuntu 8.04 as host with Windows 2000 as guest on VirtualBox 1.6.2.
Prior to booting up VirtualBox, I have complete access to my USB printer (multifunction printer with scanner).

Upon booting virtualbox, the USB port is recognised by the guest, and I am able to print from the guest OS without difficulty.

However, I can no longer print from the host. The print spooler says the printer is stopped or disconnected. This continues until I reboot the machine. Restarting X doesn't work.

The scanner continues to work, however.

I have seen a few other people describe this problem, but no solutions have been posted.

My question is, how do I reset the USB/printer settings without having to reboot the entire machine?

Thanks
:)G

Posted: 11. Sep 2008, 17:26
by vkov_tinsky
smilingfrog wrote:However, I can no longer print from the host. The print spooler says the printer is stopped or disconnected.
Is this while the VM is still running? In which case did you try to disconnect the USB device from VirtualBox first (via USB button in bottom right corner I mean)?
USB devices can be available to either host or guest at any one time, not both.

Regards,
VT

No effect with shutting down the VM

Posted: 12. Sep 2008, 22:55
by smilingfrog
No. There is no effect. When the virtual machine has not been started, I can print from Ubuntu. After I start, the USB port is captured by the VM, and I can not print. If I disconnect the USB port from the VM, or if I shut down virtual box, I can still not print.

However, when the host machine is rebooted, the print cue prints everything that would not print before the computer is rebooted.

I want to know how to do this without having to shut down and reboot the machine.

:)G

Posted: 12. Sep 2008, 23:12
by Sasquatch
Reconnect the USB printer (turn it off and back on or plug it out and back in)? This saves the hassle of a reboot and should do the same.