How do I install the drivers for my USB ports in my virtual box?
 

Ok so I'm very very new at all this. My ex boyfriend actually got me hooked on Linux Ubuntu. And he was starting to set up a virtual box for me so I can operate windows and Linux at the same time but we broke up before he finished. lol

So I'm trying to be independent and figure all this out for myself. I bought Linux for Dummies today and all I really want is to be able to print from my virtual box but I can't do that b/c it says I don't have the drivers for it. Please help me in the plainest English you can manage. I don't mind if you pretend you're explaining it to a five year old just as long as the message gets across to a self-diagnose technotard.

Thanks in advance!
Natalie

Good to know that you got hooked to Linux UBuntu :). One more Linux user added to the community!

As for your problem, I am not sure which Virtual Machine software you are using. So here's my assumption. Initially you had set up Ubuntu on your machine and you used some Virtual Machine software to run Windows. Also assuming you were able to set up Windows properly (Which version of Windows??) Now I need to know the name of the VM (Virtualization or Virtual Machine) software you are using. Did I get the assumptions wrong. Please correct me.

Since you mention that you are not able to print from your virtual box. I guess you were able to set up Windows on the virtual machine/box. If Windows is installed then installing drivers for printer is very easy. You install it like from the driver CD. I know it's a pretty lame answer.....But I am guessing it's some other problem. If you can give a better description someone in the community mite be able to help you. Mention as much technical detail as possible.

Ok looks like a Sun xVM Virtual Box. I have no idea what that means. Hopefully it means something more to you all. And I'm running Windows XP on it.

I pretty much have "NOOB" tattooed on my forehead right?

That shouldn't take much time I am guessing, since you already have Windows XP set up. That's pretty mch the toughest thing....setting up Windows on Virtual Box.

Did you try installing the drivers from Printer CD or DVD? I am guessing you tried installing a printer from Control Panel..."Add a printer" option and then ran into some error. Could you provide some more info.

When I put in the CD to install the software for my printer it says "your system doesn't meet one or more of the following requirements". Then there are green check marks by operating system, CPU, RAM, administration rights, free disk space, display and internet explorer. But there's a red circle with a white X in it next to USB.

Please let me know specifically what other information might be helpful for you to help me. And thanks for your time already, btw.

Ok I understood the problem. Your printer connects to a USB Port (Basically a socket / something similar to electrical socket) on the CPU. So even if you install the printer software, the printer should know how to talk to the USB Port.

USB Port drivers come in separate CD. Generally there is a motherboard CD that comes when you purchased the system. Do you have that CD?. The one you use to install sound / video and other stuff.

I am hoping Windows XP you have installed has SP2 (Service Pack 2) Installed. If not you have to install Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. It's a free download from Microsoft Site.

If you have it installed then check the USB Devices first in Control Panel ---> Device Manager.
and check the status of your USB controllers(Universal Service Bus Controllers). If the USB2 Enhanced Controller has appeared without the yellow symbol, you should be ready to use USB 2.0. If there is no yellow symbol after installing SP2 or USB Drivers from motherboard CD then restart Windows XP and then try installing the printer.

That should do.

Well I popped that printer CD in again after restarting my computer and downloading SP2 and it still tells me I don't have USB capability or something like that.

Now what?

USB Port drivers come in separate CD. Generally there is a motherboard CD that comes when you purchased the system. Do you have that CD?. Install USB Drivers from Motherboard CD.

Go to Control Panel->Device Manager-> Universal Service Bus.
Then check the status of your USB controllers(Universal Service Bus Controllers). If the USB2 Enhanced Controller has appeared without the yellow symbol, you should be ready to use USB 2.0.

If above steps are ok then only you can install the printer driver. And also you need to restart the virtual machine and not the whole Linux machine inside which VM Box is running.

Idk sounds like this is all over my head. I think I've tried everything you suggested but I just can't get it to work. Thanks for your help anyway.