Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Access External USB Hard Drive via Virtualbox W/ Linux Host

How to access an external USB hard drive via Virtualbox with Linux Mint 8 or higher as Host.


For starters I have seen a lot of work arounds with this problem so the solution I am presenting here is only one of many. I am presenting this solution because it makes the guest OS recognize the external drive as if it were plugged into it directly; like it was the host.


Step One

If you have not already done so download and install VirtualBox.


Step Two

If you have not already done so download and install VirtualBox's Extension Pack. Once that is accomplished reboot your host OS.


Step Three

Install guest OS within VirtualBox (in my case XP).


Step Four

After installing guest OS boot it and install Guest Additions in guest OS. After that reboot guest.


Step Five

Connect external USB hard drive to computer.


Step Six

Shutdown guest OS and go to VirtualBox's main menu. Select Guest OS and then select settings. When the settings window opens select USB in the left hand menu.


Step Seven

Make sure the two options below the USB subheading are enabled. Next on the right hand side of the settings window click on the icon of the USB with a green addition sign over imposed. After clicking this your external USB hard drive should be an option to select; click it. However, if it is not an option at this point and it is correctly connected to your computer you need to reboot your host OS and start at step five again and proceed.


Step Eight

After successful completion of Step Seven open your Linux menu and select “Users and Groups”. Then unlock your users. Select your user name and then select “Properties”. When the new window opens select “User Privileges”. Scroll down to “Use VirtualBox” and make sure that it is enabled.


Step Nine

Finally, go back to “users settings” main window. Select “manage groups”. Scroll down to “Vboxusers” and select. When the new window opens select your user name and close.


That's it your done. When you boot into your guest OS it will automatically grab your USB drive.



1 comment:

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