[SOLVED] Ubuntu 14.10 VM doesn't detect SDHC or USB flashdrive

riscv · 05-10-2017, 10:16 AM

Hello,

I need to use either SDHC (preferably) or a USB flashdrive on an Ubuntu 14.04 (EDIT 14.10) Virtualbox. It doesn't detect it. Could anyone please tell me how to procede ?

Code:

alpha@alpha-VirtualBox:~$ sudo parted -l
Model: ATA VBOX HARDDISK (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 221GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos

Number  Start   End    Size    Type      File system     Flags
 1      1049kB  218GB  218GB   primary   ext4            boot
 2      218GB   221GB  3487MB  extended
 5      218GB   221GB  3487MB  logical   linux-swap(v1)

And

Code:

alpha@alpha-VirtualBox:~$ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 80ee:0021 VirtualBox USB Tablet
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

And

Code:

alpha@alpha-VirtualBox:~$ sudo fdisk -l

Disk /dev/sda: 221.1 GB, 221128687616 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 26884 cylinders, total 431891968 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00025c08

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1   *        2048   425078783   212538368   83  Linux
/dev/sda2       425080830   431890431     3404801    5  Extended
/dev/sda5       425080832   431890431     3404800   82  Linux swap / Solaris

Thank you

michaelk · 05-10-2017, 10:28 AM

A USB device has to be enabled for that virtual machine. You can use the devices drop down menu or permanently enable it in vboxmanager but it can not be accessed by the host and a VM at the same time.

Habitual · 05-10-2017, 01:14 PM

Verify you are in the vboxusers group, in terminal, issue:

Code:

id

If not, add yourself into it and log out, back in.

mount a USB and Fire Virtualbox > look around.

Let us know.

riscv · 05-11-2017, 07:49 AM

I tried for USB and it did not work. I just set a shared folder instead.

However, I need to use the SD card. And It is not detectable.

Any suggestions ?

Habitual · 05-11-2017, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riscv

I tried for USB and it did not work. I just set a shared folder instead.

However, I need to use the SD card. And It is not detectable.

Any suggestions ?

Shared folder gets the job done! Been there, done that.

"did not work"
Please, I beg you. never repeat those words in that order ever again.

Plug it in on the host.

Code:

Virtualbox > appliance > Ctrl+S > highlight|select USB > Alt+Insert

Is the device shown?

Does the device "show" on the host system?
You are in vboxusers group on the host system?
"not detectable" means what? Host or guest?

system logs show any info about this device being "not detectable", or is that Virtualbox specific?

How hard are we expected to engage for a resolution if all we have is "did not work" as motivation?

Peace.

jmgibson1981 · 05-11-2017, 01:30 PM

I'd upgrade to a supported version of Ubuntu then work on the problem if it still exists. 14.10 is pleny outdated and eol quite some time ago. We are already on 17.04 now.

ondoho · 05-11-2017, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmgibson1981

We are already on 17.04 now.

i beg to differ.
16.04 is the current LTS.
17.04 is NOT an LTS.

nevertheless, 14.10 is indeed EOL.

riscv · 05-11-2017, 08:34 PM

jmgibson1981, Sorry I'm actually currently on 14.04 (downgraded from 14.10 because of some other issues). I cannot use recent version because of the specs of the project i'm working on. I suppose some tools cannot work for recent versions.

Habitual, the image attached shows that the usb device is not detected on the virtualbox settings windows (and on the guest). But the host detects it.

Was I supposed to run this on the host ? Virtualbox > appliance > Ctrl+S > highlight|select USB > Alt+Insert. Does the image answer this command ?

I did install the virtualbox extension which allowed the EHCI controller (USB 2.0), before I couldn't tick the option. Then I rebooted the machine, reinstalled the VBoxGuestAdditions. Still the USB device (or the SDHC) doesn't show.

jmgibson1981 · 05-12-2017, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

i beg to differ.
16.04 is the current LTS.
17.04 is NOT an LTS.

nevertheless, 14.10 is indeed EOL.

14.10 wasn't an LTS either, so figured LTS was irrelevant.

michaelk · 05-12-2017, 03:09 PM

What version of VirtualBox are you running?

Have you installed the extension pack? I assume a USB drive was inserted when you took the screen shot in post #8? Can you access the USB drive on the host?

riscv · 05-12-2017, 04:54 PM

michaelk, yes I have installed the extension pack (image attached). Yes the USB was inserted in the screenshot. Yes, I can access the device on the host. The virtualbox version is 5.1.18 r114002 (Qt5.6.2).

michaelk · 05-12-2017, 05:29 PM

Except for upgrading to 5.1.22 not sure what else to try. Although 5.1.16 fixed a bug pertaining to USB drive recognition there still could be something unique to your flash drive.

Habitual · 05-12-2017, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riscv

jmgibson1981, Sorry I'm actually currently on 14.04 (downgraded from 14.10 because of some other issues). I cannot use recent version because of the specs of the project i'm working on. I suppose some tools cannot work for recent versions.

Habitual, the image attached shows that the usb device is not detected on the virtualbox settings windows (and on the guest). But the host detects it.

Was I supposed to run this on the host ? Virtualbox > appliance > Ctrl+S > highlight|select USB > Alt+Insert. Does the image answer this command ?

I did install the virtualbox extension which allowed the EHCI controller (USB 2.0), before I couldn't tick the option. Then I rebooted the machine, reinstalled the VBoxGuestAdditions. Still the USB device (or the SDHC) doesn't show.

Perfectly, Thanks.
Now since the host sees it and Vbox doesn't, in a terminal, issue:

Code:

id

and check for vboxusers group membership on the host, for your user.
Until you are in the vboxusers group, you will never see a host-USB in any appliance.

I think you're close...

michaelk · 05-12-2017, 05:35 PM

I believe the OP is using Windows 10 as the host.

knudfl · 05-12-2017, 09:32 PM

@riscv :

Suggest a workaround :
Upload the SDHC and USB contents to the cloud from the host, to e.g. Google Drive (15GB free space), Dropbox.

Then you also have backups.

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