Hi:
Wondering if anyone can explain how to backup files onto a flash drive or CD from VB on a WindowsXP PC.
My OS needs re-installation, so I don't want to lose the files in my system.
Thanks.

You should be able to just copy everything from your VirtualBox VMs directory to a flash drive or DVD. That directory has all the files needed for the vm. After you re-install just copy all the files back into the same directory and you should be all set. I've done this in the past and have never had an issue with it.

1. Go to https://www.virtualbox.org
2. On the left side of the page, find the link to End-User Documentation. Click it.
3. Find the link to the user manual and download it or view it online
4. Section 3.10, named "USB support", should help you.

It would seem that writing to the physical CD or DVD drive is possible in "passthrough mode", but it sounds like this is an experimental feature.

You could also copy your files to a Windows share on the same physical box and then transfer them to a more permanent location. Or copy them to a different box. Or use Dropbox or Ubuntu One or so. There are many possibilities, depending on the size of your data, your connectivity, your skills and inclination.

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You can "Export Appliance" from Virtualbox. That will give you a file combining your disk image and all the configuration. However, it's likely to be a big file. You probably won't fit it on a small flash drive or a CD, but you might get it on a big flash drive (eg a 64 GB one), a recordable Blu-Ray disk or two, or an external hard drive.

Alternatively, you can run whatever backup program you like inside the guest system, using folder sharing to get them to the host and then copying to your backup media. If you just want your data files, copying /home/user on Linux, C:\Documents and Settings\User on Windows XP, or C:\Users\User on later Windows will do the trick. This will give a smaller and more manageable archive than the Virtualbox Appliance.

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This looks like the best of all possible worlds. I forgot that all of my files are already in Dropbox, which simplifies everything.(It's only the code files that I need saved)
Thanks
richard

To do this, would I use the mv command? And can I use this to move a file or directory from the VM to D:\\filename ? I don't know of any other "copy" method in Linux.

Just copy the VM folder with the files in it. Either command line or gui will do. Since the host is XP, just use windows explorer. I forget the command line in windows but simple cut and paste would do. copy /s or something like that???

The host or the guest needs a re-install?