Problem with USB printer support using Virtualbox

[autumnleaves]

I am unable to use a USB printer from a Windows XP guest installed in VirtualBox (version supplied by Software Manager) on a Mint 10 64bit host system. The printer is working properly under MInt. I realize that this is really a question for Virtualbox, but I am unable to register in the VB forum, as the registration page rejects the answer to the anti-spam question (what is the latest release of VB?). I have downloaded the Virtualbox Extensions but am unable to figure out how to install them. They do not appear in the Mint Package Manager.
I have also tried to attach vbusers as a group to my user, but the name does not appear in the list of groups in users and groups.
I hope that this can be resolved without wasting another day searching for solutions.
Thanks for your assistance.

[willie42]

http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=54207

see if this might be something that might help you in your quest


hope it works

[autumnleaves]

Thanks Willie. If I understand correctly, I do not have the correct version of VirtualBox (I have OSE) and must install a new version.

A) Can I install the new version over the old version or do I have to uninstall and then install the VB and Windows and programs in it again?
B) There is a link to download the new version. But how do I install the new version of VB?

Thanks

[willie42]

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads

this link should get you the latest and greatest. I would suggest checking the Repos first to see if the latest is there. Be easier to install if not the site provided should help you.

I would uninstall the old version first

[autumnleaves]

Downloaded the Ubuntu Meerkat version of Virtualbox from the VB website. When I click on it the Package Installer opens with a status message in red:
"Error: Conflicts with the installed package 'virtualbox-ose"

I presume this means I have to uninstall and reinstall again!!

Assuming I get 4.0 installed, how do I then install the Extensions?

Thanks,

[willie42]

yes uninstall the vitural box and reinstall

[autumnleaves]

Thanks. How do I install the extensions?

[willie42]

http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic. ... 4&p=164806

this explains how to install the extensions

[autumnleaves]

I see that there are a lot of pages about problems with VM GUEST ADDITIONS and Ubuntu 10.10. Does that affect Mint as well? Will additions install properly in a VM running under a Mint 10 host with Windows XP as guest?

[autumnleaves]

Thanks for the tip about Extensions. The post reads:

"If you have the USB enabled when you update to version 4.0.0..."

Does this not mean that USB does work on previous versions too without Extensions? Why shouldn't it work on the OSE from the Software Manager without Extensions?

[willie42]

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Editions

according to this its a closed source feature. When I ran Vitural Box I never tried to use the USB ports

[autumnleaves]

This is rapidly becoming a nightmare. Who would want a virtual machine that can't print? I'm beginning to wish I had stayed with Windows. Maybe it's not too late.

[willie42]

Well i cant stop you from going back to windows but if you want to stay with Linux then be patient and someone may have better answers than I have come up with. If you are heading back to Windows good luck to you and hope it all works out for you.

[autumnleaves]

Thanks for all your help Willie. At least I'm getting close to a solution to the networking problem, in spite of an apparent lack of documentation. All this could be avoided with a good manual.

Meanwhile, I am leery about uninstalling Vbox again and installing a new version plus Windows XP as guest plus applications only to find that it doesn't work either. Fortunately I'm sick and have time to fiddle with this, but all the guesswork does not make for a very efficient system.