Linux Lite Forums

Software - Support => Installing Software => Topic started by: mandoran on May 04, 2016, 10:53:18 AM

Title: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 04, 2016, 10:53:18 AM
Hello,


Trying to get a few Virtual Box machines set up to complete my new office set up, and have encountered problems I haven't run into before. In a Win XP box (only OS that runs my printer...) I cannot get my printer recognized, and for some reason this time I cannot get USB devices recognized by the guest OS.


I went into Synaptic to see if anything was missing, and I guess that the guest utilities are not installed - but I cannot install them because virtualbox-guest-x11 package is broken.


Since I know LL is supposed to curate the Virtual Box software, and I haven't had problems doing this earlier, I thought I should ask here rather than trying to look for a generic answer - can anyone help?
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: torreydale on May 04, 2016, 11:46:08 AM
For your guest OSes to recognize USB items connected to your host, you need to install the VirtualBox Extension Pack that matches the version of VirtualBox you are running.  You'll find that at www.virtualbox.org.  Go to the Downloads link.  From there, find the Extension Pack for your version.  After downloading it, I think you just have to double click on the downloaded file and the Extension Pack will install.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 04, 2016, 12:01:19 PM
I downloaded what I believed to be the full extensions via the instructions in the LL manual, again, since I believe that this has been bundled in such a way that I should be following LL instructions. But despite this the mentioned problems have arisen. Should i uninstall and try to reinstall? Irritating, with a VM already set up...
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: firenice03 on May 04, 2016, 12:09:58 PM
I downloaded what I believed to be the full extensions via the instructions in the LL manual, again, since I believe that this has been bundled in such a way that I should be following LL instructions. But despite this the mentioned problems have arisen. Should i uninstall and try to reinstall? Irritating, with a VM already set up...
No need to re-install... As mentioned you need the correct Extension Pack

As stated in the manual:
Quote
You need to know the version number of your VirtualBox installation in order to download the matching "Extension Pack". It should be version 4.3.10; but double-check that by clicking Help, About VirtualBox from the main VirtualBox window. Then look along bottom of pop-up window for the version number.
For the latest version, go to this VirtualBox webpage. Otherwise, go here, look for your version number and follow same steps as below to continue.

Find the "Extension Pack" listed under the heading for your VirtualBox version and click on All supported platforms to download it. Save the download to your Downloads folder.
.

Update: Not sure if 4.3.10 is still the default as there are newer versions - double check your version as labeled.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 04, 2016, 12:12:17 PM
Yes, as I say, I followed the manual instructions. I have done this, and I have no contact with USB devices and Synaptic reports that my guest additions package is broken.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 04, 2016, 12:18:19 PM
Have just doublechecked and I do indeed have the correct extensions pack installed for my version, done according to LL instructions. Now I wonder if I should just get the newest version of Virtual Box and install it and start over again. If proper procedure has left me with non-working extensions and a broken package?
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: firenice03 on May 04, 2016, 12:26:25 PM
There is a part where you need to add the user:


From the manual:

Quote
Using USB's in VirtualBox

Assuming you've already added the the VirtualBox "Extension Pack",to begin using USB's in your new VM, you need to add your username to the "vboxusers" group. (You only need to do that once, not for every individual VM you make.) You should perform the following steps while no VM's are open.

Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: firenice03 on May 04, 2016, 12:30:25 PM
There is a part where you need to add the user:

From the manual:

Quote
Using USB's in VirtualBox

Assuming you've already added the the VirtualBox "Extension Pack",to begin using USB's in your new VM, you need to add your username to the "vboxusers" group. (You only need to do that once, not for every individual VM you make.) You should perform the following steps while no VM's are open.

UPDATE:
This info is just past the virtualbox setup..
I still use VB mostly in Windows and been a while since my last LL VB install (still need to get back to) so a tad rusty... :)
but I don't think you necessarily need to reinstall just yet..
Not meaning to jump in on torreydale.. Thought I'd respond/assist before you wiped out your XP install :)
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: Wirezfree on May 04, 2016, 12:50:51 PM
per firenice03
Menu > type user, and open User Manager
Scroll down and tick vboxusers : Then apply , quit, and re-boot.
(http://i.imgur.com/ZaLJCHk.png)


Note in Windows, The Guest additions are installed by double clicking the "Guest Additions CD" in My Computer:
(http://i.imgur.com/Mxnk4W9.png)
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 04, 2016, 01:00:52 PM
Ah, thanks! That I did miss.


Re getting Windows to see the guest additions CD, is that an iso file - not sure how you got that to show up.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 04, 2016, 05:54:07 PM
OK, everything seems to be working and in order, but the XP box does not see the printer on any of three USB ports. I guess that might have something to do with LL not being able to get it to work reliably, though LL does _see_ it.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: LinuxNoob on May 04, 2016, 06:48:29 PM
Have just doublechecked and I do indeed have the correct extensions pack installed for my version, done according to LL instructions. Now I wonder if I should just get the newest version of Virtual Box and install it and start over again. If proper procedure has left me with non-working extensions and a broken package?

I did get it to work once a while ago just to play with my MagicJack with a Vbox of windows7 and I believe if memory serves me correctly, you will have to go a set up a USB filter or something like that in where you set up the machine.

oh and when the machine is running you have a menu where you can also load usb devices.

I did get it to work but the MagicJack did not!

Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: firenice03 on May 04, 2016, 10:18:33 PM
OK, everything seems to be working and in order, but the XP box does not see the printer on any of three USB ports. I guess that might have something to do with LL not being able to get it to work reliably, though LL does _see_ it.
Good to hear its working!!!?!

Somethings to try..
- - Not VB/Linux specific but gets you thinking...
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/824366

- - VB and Linux Specific
http://askubuntu.com/questions/48982/how-can-i-connect-usb-printer-in-virtual-box-ose-win-xp


Or as LinuxNoob suggests - a filter maybe needed
some info - https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65653
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: Wirezfree on May 04, 2016, 11:24:55 PM
Regarding "Guest Additions" showing in My Computer
When the Guest is running click on the Devices Menu and select: "Insert Guest Additions CD Image"
The CD image is part of the install

(http://i.imgur.com/q7Y8jqY.png)


Regarding Printer..
Unless your printer is recognised natively by XP you will still need to install whatever printer software came with it.?
If that's the case...
1. Shut-down Guest, Shut-down Host, and unplug printer
2. Re-boot Host, Start Guest
3. Run Printer software and follow instructions..
    It may prompt you to plugin during install, or tell you to shut-down plugin and re-start.
    You only need to shut-down Guest, plugin and re-start Guest.


USB Printers/Scanner normally pass-thru from Host to Guest, no need to add them in USB devices.
I assume the printer is working under LL O.K.??
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 05, 2016, 07:56:57 AM
I have had no problem getting the additions CD recognized and installed in the XP box (though Windows warned me to stop installing it several times).


I still see no USB devices available though, and wonder if this is referring specifically to memory sticks. I wonder also about input devices, as the options are PS2 mice and tablets, which strikes me as unusual. I don't remember encountering this in my previous VB setups.


The printer process fails at the detect printer stage of installation from the printer CD. I can try to install the printer manually while the install CD tries and fails to find the printer, since the drivers are installed at this point - but XP only offers to locate it on standard LPT and COM ports, not the USB ports. It finds the drivers and pretends it is installed, but can't print to it. I've tried reinstalling by moving the printer around to various USB ports, by restarting it during the process, by rebooting XP while it's on, everything. XP just can't find it.


The big question - does it work under LL? Not really, that's the reason I'm trying to create a little old XP home for it. It is a Canon Pixma ip5000 and is a nightmare. I got it working with a LL laptop, but not consistently. I have never been able to get it to print properly on the desktop LL machine, but it is recognized and usually responds, but tends only to print out in one random color.


Canon stopped supporting the drivers long ago, it really needs a 32-bit XP environment to install properly. When my last ancient laptop running XP dies, a perfectly good if inconvenient printer goes with it, so therefore this project.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: Wirezfree on May 05, 2016, 11:41:00 AM
I maybe wrong.??
But unless it is recognised correctly under LL it may not pass through to XP.

In LL with printer plugged in, what do you get from doing a:
Code: [Select]
lsusbIn a terminal.?


and you definitely have the correct version of extension pack.? File > Preferences > Extensions
(http://i.imgur.com/MBtLWVq.png)


and it matches what is in  Help > About


(http://i.imgur.com/u4I3PEZ.png)
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: firenice03 on May 05, 2016, 01:14:58 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/q7Y8jqY.png)
Stealing Wirezfree's screenshot...  8)

Now I'm going from memory and this may only apply to flash drives, but...
Under the "USB Devices"  if you expand do you see your devices listed? If so, can you enable/activate the printer?
- Again when I use a usb drive I had to click that device within to allow the guest to see it...


Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 05, 2016, 01:43:42 PM
Running lsusb in a terminal reveals that the LL machine does see the printer.


Yes, I have right extensions, have already double checked it. I considered reinstalling, but got a message saying the files were identical as well.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 05, 2016, 01:46:21 PM
Firenice03, that is why I was musing about whether the USB choice only referred to external USB drives. I have checked there, and nothing is ever listed. As I have a USB keyboard and a USB printer, I started to wonder if the device definition was restricted to drives. Or if something is wrong with the extensions. But the trouble is currently limited to the printer.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: firenice03 on May 05, 2016, 01:50:24 PM
Running lsusb in a terminal reveals that the LL machine does see the printer.


Yes, I have right extensions, have already double checked it. I considered reinstalling, but got a message saying the files were identical as well.
Can you post the output of the lsusb command - it may lend some info for those helping...

I never see usb mice listed, they become referenced as PS/2 or touch i believe... Printer, scanner and drives should pass thru.. But the Host may need to know what it is or at least that its attached before it can..

Printer is turned on??  ;)
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: torreydale on May 05, 2016, 04:30:20 PM
1) Is your XP VM on Service Pack 3?
2) Within the XP VM, are you going to the VirtualBox menu and selecting Devices > USB for the printer and Devices > Optical Drives to select the CD/DVD ROM of your host operating system, which I believe is Linux Lite?
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 05, 2016, 05:45:47 PM
@firenice03 - oh yes, it's turned on!  ;)


output of lsusb:

Bus 002 Device 005: ID 10d5:1010 Uni Class Technology Co., Ltd
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 1058:1021 Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Elements Desktop (WDBAAU)
Bus 002 Device 013: ID 04a9:1097 Canon, Inc. PIXMA iP5000
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 046d:c326 Logitech, Inc.
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub


@torreydale - no, I have not updated the XP box to Service Pack 3 yet, I fear complications with that now that XP is unsupported etc, but may as well try that next.


When you say within the XP VM, ... well what do you know, the printer is showing in the USB menu now. I will report back if that simple development will solve all my problems.


Big thanks to all in the meantime...
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: firenice03 on May 05, 2016, 07:17:52 PM
HHMMM - The Canon IP "should" work in LL...
I added a PIXMA ip100 -- I did have to do some tweaking - If I recall I HAD to install the Canon software, I might of gotten from Canon's website..

HAD is expressed as I messed around forever it wasn't until I installed the SW did it print.. Gimme a few I'll check my notes..
BUT LL does see the Canon :)
And it may be the same in Windows - try installing the SW in windows to see if it will recognize...
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 05, 2016, 07:27:13 PM
Things are looking good now in the XP box - I think a combination of the advice solved the problem, and when the printer finally did show up in the VB menu, it was installable. It has not passed all the print tests yet though, but thanks all round are in order, I just need to test it on photos.


Re the Pixma in LL - I got it to work most of the time on an LL laptop after much tweaking, but have not had any luck with it on the desktop. Someone with a Pixma mentioned having had better luck with earlier LL versions as well, and also said full success had eluded them. Not all of the Pixmas have equally good driver support in Linux, and the ip5000 is one of the unlucky ones if I remember correctly.


On the new setup running LL 2.8 everything _seems_ to be fine, but the printer doesn't respond. Print tests come out in one color. Print jobs remain queued. But if the XP box works even all the printer software and utilities will work as well, so that will keep me happy.
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: torreydale on May 05, 2016, 09:30:56 PM
Have you looked at the Linux Lite Help Manual in the section for printers?  From there, you'll find a section on Canon printers.
Menu > Favorites > Help Manual
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on May 06, 2016, 04:35:04 AM
Yes, absolutely essential reading for me, and that's what got the printer more or less running on the laptop, which I had never managed before on other distros or much earlier LL versions. That is why I was surprised when the printer acted differently on 2.8 on the new machine.



Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: N4RPS on June 27, 2016, 07:37:09 AM
Hello!

I have an HP LaserJet 3100. On THAT printer, you pretty much have to use the software that came with it. It won't work on anything past XP, and won't work on any kind of virtual machine whatsoever.
.
I finally had to dedicate an old laptop on XP to it. I use TeamViewer to transfer files I want to print on it to that machine, and print them from THERE...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob
Title: Re: Virtual Box problems - no USB devices and broken package
Post by: mandoran on June 28, 2016, 01:34:12 PM
I know the feeling! With my XP laptops all dying, I wanted to put this burden on LL. I've recently run some tests at last, and the printer is looking good now on Virtual Box. I should mark this thread solved. Even if my solution came from bits of the advice, the whole thing will probably provide helpful clues to others...