Accessing USB, Fash devices from Virtual macihne???

EzioAuditore · 15 Dec 2010

Hi everyone,
I've been trying to solve this problem since yesterday but haven't succeeded. Thought to ask here.
I'm asically trying to access my flash drive on host OS from guest OS. I've tried creating the filters under USB settings menu and also filled some info like VendorID, Serial, productID, but the flash drive isnt detected by virtualbox. I've tried the USB devices option under 'Devices' menu (while the guest OS is running) but it doesn't appear there even.
I've tried this with XP and 7 guest OSes to no avail.
So, I'm kinda stuck here. Hoping you guys to shed some light on the issue. Pls let me know if im unclear.
Thanks.

Vertex · 15 Dec 2010

I am having the same issue with Sun Virtualbox.

Maybe you should try plugging your USB device whilst your virtual machine is ALREADY running and then choose it from the Devices section. I think I got it to work this way a few times but its very hard and its like pure luck to repeat this detection of the USB device cause I'm still unfamiliar with the correct sequence of things to do to get this to work. This pisses me off as well.

osholt · 15 Dec 2010

First of all make sure Virtual Box is up to date.
Second of all make sure guest additions is properly installed.

If they do need to be upgraded then your problems may be solved (Virtual Box has had a lot of bugs recently).

You may also want to try another USB port and see if that makes a difference.

As an alternative you could share your USB stick as a Virtual Box shared folder and access it that way.

I hope this helps.

Oli

jimbo45 · 15 Dec 2010

Hi there
Not sure about Virtual Box but in Vmware you can "Disconnect" the USB from the host and it will attach to the VM. Alternatively you can just plug in the USB after the VM has been powered on.

Note that the initial Virtual USB driver needs to be working on the host machine first -- if the Host doesn't recognize the USB then you won't have any luck.

So ensure the HOST can access the USB device first before attemting anything with the VM's.

Another way --might be easier is to define the USB device as a shared drive on the Host then you could access it as a "bog standard Network drive" on the VM.

(Works the other way round too -- if the device is shared on the VM you can access it as a network drive on the HOST).

However to repeat the USB drive must have initially worked ONCE at least on the HOST so the driver will be available.

Cheers
jimbo

EzioAuditore · 15 Dec 2010

Thanks for the response guys.
@Vertex- Already tried that i.e. plugging the usb after the vm has loaded, but no luck.
@osholt- well, virtualbox did say that an update is available. Will try dloading it now. And I've tried other ports too to no avail.
@jimbo- That virtual driver is installed. And host can access the usb, but VB doesn't detect it.
@Jimbo & osholt- yeah we can always go the old school 'network drive' way but i don't wanna do it that way. I want to try it as a normal removable drive in the guest.

EzioAuditore · 19 Dec 2010

Problem solved.

Updated to latest VirtualBox Beta 4, installed Oracle VM Extension Pack, done.

Thank you all for your replies anyway.

osholt · 19 Dec 2010

No problem, I'm glad you got it to work.

Oli