VirtualBox: clipboard ^v copy/paste not working (on XP netbook)

Jjanel · 06-26-2016, 03:10 PM

I play with various Linux distros in VirtualBox (on an old XP netbook).

I selected in VBox: Devices->Shared Clipboard->bidirectional
but ctrl-v (at shell) does nothing.
(this is also under Machine->Settings General->Advanced)

I also can't figure out how to [hilite & ^c] copy
from the (single user shell) Linux screen (to XP).
(I vaguely remember something maybe about ?enabling mouse process? in *ancient* Linux terminal)

TIA!
p.s. my apology IF this belongs in some VBox forum

Habitual · 06-26-2016, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jjanel

(I vaguely remember something maybe about ?enabling mouse process? in *ancient* Linux terminal)

Think you're referring to gpm...

Code:

By default, the daemon provides a 'selection' mode, so that
 cut-and-paste with the mouse works on the console just as it does
 under X

Unrelated to Virtualbox.
Do you have guest additions installed/enabled in the Virtualbox appliance?
Also, does the clipboard do anything via right-click menu after highlighting?

Jjanel · 06-26-2016, 10:07 PM

Yes, I have the VBoxClient stuff (ps shows it); right-click does nothing.

Note that I don't use/install any GUI/X; I just login to a tty (like boot 'single')!

Thanks for the "gpm"! It 'works' but yes, unrelated to host clipboard.
I added it to my googling:
gpm virtualbox shared clipboard
and found several things saying "copy/paste only works in GUI/X".
Maybe that's it [no way?]
(I also wanted to scroll back an early boot-panic, but that's also not possible, unfortunately)

Update: VBoxClient --clipboard isn't running (other 3 are)
It (& a couple child's, per strace -f) exit(0); nothing obvious.

ondoho · 06-27-2016, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jjanel

Yes, I have the VBoxClient stuff (ps shows it);

that is not the same as guest additions. they have to be installed inside the guest operating system.

just to clarify, what is the host system and what is the guest system?

Jjanel · 06-28-2016, 06:11 AM

Hmmmm/ooops/sorry... it looks like I'm either
lost between two different concepts
or not writing clear enuf (as I do tend to do)...

The host (old netbook) is XP; the VBox client vm is manjaro. ('latest' versions)

I thot manjaro had [somehow?] found&installed the "Guest Additions".
But maybe I mean "extensions pack" (installed into XP after VBox)
(I'm not sure how to check)

NOW, (all in manjaro, tty [no X], runlevel says unknown!!), I mounted &
ran VBoxLinuxAdditions.run (after pacman -S gcc linux44-headers)
but VBoxClient --clipboard still just exits.
I noticed that, at boot, it ran /opt/VBoxGuestAdditions-5.0.22/init/vboxadd{,-x11} start
Idk what log files to look for... AND YIKES! I think this is server stuff I don't need (as a client!)

Habitual · 06-28-2016, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

that is not the same as guest additions. they have to be installed inside the guest operating system.

just to clarify, what is the host system and what is the guest system?

I'd like to add
Are you running these guests without a desktop?
They all boot console? What machine "boots 'single'"?
Host, or Guest(s)?

The host OS is your usual desktop. Every Day, this-is-what-I-use machine.
The guests would your Virtualbox "appliances" (I believe is the Vbox nomenclature)
Guest additions and extensions packs are not the same thing.

Based on the Host and Guest descriptions, can you please clarify the situation?

Thank you,

Jjanel · 06-28-2016, 07:20 AM

Yes/yes; manjaro GUEST withOUT Xwin!
(see my very 1st post: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi....php?p=5566395)

I think the answer just dawned on me:
there canNOT be a "clipboard" withOUT a GUI [gui = {MS,X}windows]!

...as bad as: can't TEXT on a landline phone!

No wonder VBoxClient --clipboard exits!

Yes?

Habitual · 06-28-2016, 08:51 AM

I knew that in the first post.
no GUI = no clipboard.