Ubuntu
virtualbox-ose package

USB Problem after Virtualbox installation

Asked by Dr Denise M Noha

Hello all,

I set up Ubuntu 9.04 - no problem. Installed Windows XP inside Virtual Box - the version that does support USB ports - no problem.

Then I tried to install a small microscope camera on Win XP. I should have just let XP find the new hardware but instead tried to manually install the drivers. Installation failed and USB ports greyed out with the exception of the printer which works fine from USB inside Win Xp on Virtualbox.

The USB ports have messed up within Ubuntu. If I go to Places --> Computer I can see the USB ports (I cannot on my implementation of 9.04 on my own PC) and if you open USB properties the type is listed as "unknown type (application/octet-stream).

Could someone help me reset the usb ports please?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

in the XP Vbox open device manager and uninstall all the usb root hubs and usb host controllers. when they are all gone, uninstall the drivers for the hardware that you messed your system up with and then reboot the vbox using the standard xp way. When it reboots, the OS will redetect the USB controllers and set them up anew.

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Dr Denise M Noha (denise-noha) said : 		#2

Thanks a lot will try this as soon as I can on friend's machine and will let you know.

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pablitofuerte (pablitofuerte) said : 		#3

Just an appointment. Today it's been release VirtualBox 3.0.0 (released 2009-06-30)
Check the changelog (some bugs have been fixed):
http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog
# USB: Support for high-speed isochronous endpoints has been added. In addition, read-ahead buffering is performed for input endpoints (currently Linux hosts only). This should allow additional devices to work, notably webcams (bug #242).
# USB: fixed error handling for some USB dongles

Good luck

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Dr Denise M Noha (denise-noha) said : 		#4

Hello guys

I update to version 3.0 - still have the problem.

actionparsnip - I did what you said uninstalled the usb root hub and the hots controller. I rebooted - it did re-detect the USB ports for example it reinstalled the printer drivers as this device was left attached.

I still have the problem. Filter added for PEN Drive but greyed out in Virtualbox. I think I need to reset the USB ports from within Ubuntu not from within Windows. Within Ubuntu (forget Virtualbox for a minute) when I go to Places --> Computer I can see the USB ports (I cannot on my implementation of 9.04 on my own PC) and if you open USB properties the type is listed as "unknown type (application/octet-stream). Is this a red herring or could it be the issue. How do I reset the USB ports inside Ubuntu?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

You can't do the same in ubuntu. If you want access to a USB partition you can simply allow access to the folder which is where the device is mounted.

You could always copy out the vdi file from ~/.virtualbox then delete the folder itself, upon rerunning the app, a fresh folder will be created and you can copy the file back. I would also create a backup copy of the folder just in case.

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