VirtualBox 3.2.12
Host: Mac 10.6.6
Guest: Windows XP Home 5.1

New USB flashdrive shows in devices list, but selecting it produces error message: "Failed to attach...USB device...is being exclusively used by the host computer."

Urgently need advice re how to fix...so TIA!!!

Has the host computer mounted the drive? If so then unmount it on the host.

Thx, Stress. Did what you said, now get different "Failed to attach" error detail: "Argument aid is invalid (must be Guid(aid).isEmpty()==false)."

I'm totally ignorant re Linux code...!

This may be something related to Macintosh although I am also ignorant of Virtual Box. I've used QEMU on CentOS host with WinXP home virtual machine. Windows could mount the USB drive without problems.

I wish that I could provide more information.

Does"Argument aid is invalid (must be Guid(aid).isEmpty()==false)" suggest anything, Stress?

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General as it has nothing to do with Linux, and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Kind regards.

"Argument aid is invalid" suggests that an invalid argument is being passed to something such as the automounter.

Guid suggests user's group identification number.

My guess is that the automounter is trying to mount a partition on the disk but it is unable to find the group id number for your user account.

Did you see that error on the host operating system or on the Windows virtual machine?

Also, is the Macintosh running Mac OS X or Linux? I'm guessing that this is an Intel Macintosh or it wouldn't run Windows in Virtual Box due to having the wrong CPU.

My ignorance of Virtual Box may be leading my thoughts away from the actual problem. I just don't know.

Thx anyway, Stress. Appreciate your support. Wish I knew where to get VirtualBox help....