I have Ubuntu loaded on a compaq V5240NR laptop with builtin wireless. When I boot from Ubuntu CD everything works fine. Ubuntu finds the wireless card and connects automatically. I did not have to load any software. The wireless button illuminates automatically.
However, when I install Ubuntu inside of windows it appears to be working ok. The boot loader gives me 2 choices, windows or linux. Linux boots properly. However the wireless button does not illuminate and pushing it accomplishs nothing. Linux sees the wireless card and puts the stairstep icon over by the time. But when I try to connect it says that the wireless function is offline. I am able to put in the Network Name and Key. I am convinced that if I could get the wireless button to light the network would become connected. I have Ubuntu loaded to dual boot on an Acer laptop and don't have to do anything to get the network connected.
Apparently booting from CD, dual booting and booting Linux inside of windows create some different conditions for recognizing and enabling the wireless funtion.
Any Suggstions?
Frank

You have to create permissions to use hardware from the guest to the host.
At the least, you need pae enabled on your cpu.
Also, you need to consult the main forum, mailing list, and documentation concerning the VM you're using. Virtual machines use virtual interfaces and are clients not hosts.