USB 3 HD in winXP guest

[Plagrö]

I know this article:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=74575

But not sure, if I understand it correctly.

Is this article trying to say, that we need 3 things to enable WinXP with USB 3 HD:
1. download this driver: https://www.station-drivers.com/index.p ... 22&lang=en
2. VM settings->USB-> choose USB 3 Controller
3. run this command in a terminal: "VBoxManage setextradata <vmname> VBoxInternal/Devices/usb-xhci/0/Config/ChipType uPD720201"

Start the VM and install the driver from "1".

Right?

[scottgus1]

That appear to be correct.

[mpack]

Additional step:

0. Make sure USB2 (EHCI) has been used before in this XP VM. If not then enable it, start the VM, and try to use a USB2 device (or a USB3 device in a USB2 port - but not a USB3 device in a USB3 port).

Explanation: the instructions given in the first post don't work if XP has never seen any kind of USB before. I discovered this myself because I tested Michaln's instructions, and I generally don't bother enabling USB in VMs. If I want access to a host drive I use a shared folder - that way the host and other VMs can use it too.

Caveat: At least for XP, the guest OS must have had USB support installed for OHCI and/or EHCI, otherwise the Renesas driver won't load after installation and will fail with a "file not found" error. That appears to be a bug in the Renesas driver installer (missing dependency).

[Plagrö]

Thank you @mpack for this information.

[...] and I generally don't bother enabling USB in VMs. If I want access to a host drive I use a shared folder - [...]

I have tried this out in a win7 VM. But it seems, that data, available as "shared folder", it's not equivalent. Files are not fully functional this way.
When I try to install "VLC-player" and the install exe lies on the HD which is embedded via "shared folder", then I am not able to install it. An error appears. Only when I move the same file to "C" "download" folder, then I can install it. (!?)

[mpack]

But it seems, that data, available as "shared folder", it's not equivalent. Files are not fully functional this way.

I assume you are referring to Guest Additions Shared Folders. My own comment did not have that restriction. If you find that GA shared folders are too limited then configure a true network share. Be aware however that XP's understanding of network sharing is another thing that's 20 years out of date. In particular you need to enable SMB1 sharing on a modern host or NAS. In theory that creates security implications, so you may have to beat hackers away with a stick. Or live with the limitations of GAs. Or Google for how to add SMB2 support to XP - surely someone came up with a patch. All are still easier and more reliable than trying to get a VM to control physical hardware directly.

[Plagrö]

Thank you for the hint with the "network share".

My own comment did not have that restriction.

Not sure if I understand this sentence correct. Are you trying to say, that you never run into the problem, where double-clicking an "install.exe" on a "shared folder" leads to an error? If you never had this issue: So I am interested: What is your host and your guest, where this is no problem?

[mpack]

Are you trying to say, that you never run into the problem, where double-clicking an "install.exe" on a "shared folder" leads to an error?

No, I'm not saying that. I've seen that problem plenty of times. But it only happens with GA shared folders, not network shares.

GA shared folders exist to let you easily gets files into an out of a guest, if you don't want to use drag and drop. They are not a fully fledged network share, so if you need the latter then you should create a network share.

[Plagrö]

Thank you.

OK I see, I have misunderstood your saying in your post from 21. Sep 2020, 09:53 :

[...] and I generally don't bother enabling USB in VMs. If I want access to a host drive I use a shared folder - [...]

You meant a network shared folder there, not a GA shared folder.

[mpack]

You meant a network shared folder there, not a GA shared folder.

Actually no, I meant to use either one, according to your taste. The problems you mention with GA shared folders - I agree they exist, they just don't trouble me. Crashing or failing to connect to the drive at all, or blocking others from accessing the drive: any of those would bother me.