VM Freeware that allows USB access On Ubuntu

[Garrett]

Hello guys i am using Ubuntu 9.04. I recently changed my operating system to Linux. I was using Windows XP before and i had a lot of issues regarding security with it. But i still do need to use Windows XP for some things so i started using Virtual Box OSE as a virtual machine to access Windows XP. However it seems it won't enable access to the USB drive. I have read a lot of things around and it seems Virtual Box does allow access to the the USB drive. So what i need is suggestions on which or where i can find the necessary free Virtual machine for Ubuntu that will also enable access to the USB.

[Devasis]

Well first of all welcome to the Linux users community. As far as i know Virtualbox does have or provide usb support so you do not need to go out looking for a different fireeware to do this job. It is free so why bother finding something else when it satisfies both of your criteria. The only problem is that it is not open source like your operating system. I believe it is written in java. You will need to download a .deb package file from their site first. Once you download it it, save it on your computer and double click on it. It will bring up the archive manager. Just press on the install package button and it will install the package for you on the system. Just make sure you download the right file, that is it could be a 32 bit or 64 bit one depending on the operating system you are using.

[Solomon]

You can also add the ppa to your software source from the webpage of virtualbox. It should be on the same webpage somewhere so i suggest you to look for it first. Basically what this means is you need to add the package you want to install to the list of repositories that Synaptic has access to. Go to system and then administration. Then go to software sources. Then click on the other software tab. Click on the add button there and then copy the ppa line in to the apt line. Click on add source after that and close it. Once you are done with that go to the terminal and follow the instructions provided on the virtualbox website to add the public key for sun. What this does is basically let your operating system Ubuntu know that it is a trusted source. Then you can install the program by opening Synaptic and looking for virtualbox (whatever your version is). Mark the file for installation and click apply.

[MrChris-]

The closed source version of Virtualbox does support usb. In my opinion out of the two methods mentioned above use the deb file one. That is the easier one. Just have to double click it. Just make sure you download the right version in terms of 32 bit or 64 bit. I have the closed source version of virtualbox installed on my system and am happily running Windows XP on it without too many issues. I am posting this right now from it and i assure you it will work fine. Just download the proper updates as well by the way so as to make sure you won't have any problems later.

[Calvin K]

Well i hope the installation process goes well for you. Go for the deb package one since it is the easiest way possible to do what you have set out to do. Once the package is installed make sure that you add yourself to the virtualbox users group as well. You can do that as follows:
sudo usermod -G vboxusers -a username.
Here the username is your id on the system you are using currently on the current operating system. When that is done, log off and then log in to see if it is working. You can also check out the manual on the virtualbox website that is there after you have completed the installation of the deb package. I think the installation itself might take you through the part about adding yourself to the virtualbox user group as well. Hope this helps, good luck.

[Garrett]

Thanks a lot guys for all your replies. I went to their website and downloaded " virtualbox 3.0_3.0.12-54655_Ubuntu_jaunty_i386.deb". The people who are in the same situation as me perhaps might would like to know that i was asked to uninstall Virtual Box OSE before installing virtualbox 3.0 on my system. Virtual Box OSE was installed under accessories while Virtual Box has been installed under applications in system tools. Also i created a usb filter in settings, had to make 3 but it finally worked for me so i am pretty happy right now. All the help much appreciated,thanks.