Virtual box will not let go of my mouse cursor. I tried right ctrl but it does not release the cursor. I using debian lenny. Installation appears to have gone ok, but I am wondering if this is some kind of defect unless im doing something wrong.

Is debian lenny the host os (what you boot normally)? If not, what is your host OS?

And you should instal the VirtualBox Guest Additions to have cursor integration - this will transfer cursor control to and from the virtual machine when you enter and exit the virtual machine window.

Make sure you are running the latest version of VirtualBox and have installed the matching version of the Guest Additions.

yes debian is the host. I will take your advice and install the guest addons, right now im in process as installing xp home as guest.

Update

thanks installing guest addons worked.

Hello herbgreen420

VirtualBox should release your mouse cursor without Guest Additions. Even with Guest Additions, this functionality may be required during boot before Guest Additions is started.

It may be that VirtualBox is not configured for right Ctrl or does not recognise it. Either way you can start the VirtualBox management window (not a virtual machine) and use File->Preferences->Input and use the "Auto Capture Keyboard" to re-set the Host Key.

You may not want to install the latest version of VirtualBox. It has recently gone from version 2.x to 3.x, now at 3.0.2. The last 2.x is more mature and stable than 3.0.2. The latest version is only the best choice if you need/want its new features.

Best

Charles