[all variants] HowTo: Install Virtualbox 1.6.x with USB support in Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy)

[docplastic]

# This post describes the procedure to install VirtualBox 2.1 in Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid) with USB support.

# Browse to http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads and check if there is a package for your Ubuntu version and CPU architecture.

# Open a terminal (press simultaneously the ALT and F2 keys and enter: gnome-terminal)

• sudo aptitude -R install build-essential dkms # Install virtualbox kernel rebuilding utilities

• wget http://download.virtualbox.org/virtu...albox-xxxx.deb # download the right .deb package for your CPU

• sudo gdebi virtualbox-xxxx.deb # Install it

• grep vboxusers /etc/group || sudo groupadd vboxusers # if needed add the "vboxusers" group

• sudo usermod -aG vboxusers $USER # In order to use VirtualBox an user must be added to the "vboxusers" group. You may add other (space separated) users after $USER

# To add USB support, you need to execute the following code:

• echo "none /proc/bus/usb usbfs devgid="$(sed '/plugdev/!d;s/plugdev:x:\(.*\):.*/\1/' /etc/group)",devmode=664 0 0" | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab

# Rebuild the virtualbox kernel modules

• sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup

# Let the system update all the changes. Please note that "sudo mount -a" will not be enough.

• Logout and Login again

# If you still have trouble, post here the results of the following command:

• id $USER ; grep usbfs /etc/fstab ; grep plugdev /etc/group ; grep "domount\(.*\)usbfs" /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh

[spanella47]

the command you gave didnt work becuase it popped out the wrong devgid... replaced with the vboxusers # on my system

btw, for newbies, its easier to use System -> Administration -> Users and Groups to manipulate groups to make sure your adding things correctly

also not necessary to logout/login, just run this in your terminal or Alt+F2:

sudo mount -a

[docplastic]

Originally Posted by spanella47 also not necessary to logout/login, just run this in your terminal or Alt+F2: sudo mount -a

You are partially right, mount takes care of the fstab part.

But it does not help with the users/groups part.

So, for now, logout and login seems to be the best procedure.

J.

[randykelli]

Doc hit this one out of the park! I had the problem and it fixed it. Thanks soooo much, Doc.

-Randy

[trestamanos]

I just finished installing Version 2.0.2 and I got Windows running jsut fine.

does this thread support 2.0.2?
I tried that command and Windows on Vbox still doesnt recognize the USB

[howefield]

Try this..


In terminal type

sudo gedit /etc/init.d/mountdevsubfs.sh

Uncomment the last 4 lines above to look like this:
#
# Magic to make /proc/bus/usb work
#
mkdir -p /dev/bus/usb/.usbfs
domount usbfs "" /dev/bus/usb/.usbfs -obusmode=0700,devmode=0600,listmode=0644
ln -s .usbfs/devices /dev/bus/usb/devices
mount --rbind /dev/bus/usb /proc/bus/usb

In terminal type

sudo gedit /etc/fstab

and append the following to the fstab then save/exit:

## usbfs is the USB group in fstab file:
none /proc/bus/usb usbfs devgid=124,devmode=664 0 0

Might need a reboot.

[docplastic]

To trestamanos:
Yes. It is also valid for version 2.0x.

To howefield and others:
I prefer to keep things simple.

In the VirtualBox own way, one should edit mountdevsubfs.sh and /etc/fstab.
But it seems that just adding the usbfs entry with devgid=plugdev, is simpler and does the job pretty well.

Also note that it is risky to assume that plugdev's devgid will always be 124.

[lian1238]

Although I'm using Gutsy and installed with the deb from their website and I didn't have USB support. Now I do! Thanks! I can't see the medal icon under docplastic's post. How come?
Anyway, thanks again! I'm the happiest man alive!!

[ace214]

Thanks for the post.

For the record, I had to go into fstab and change the gid from 46 which the command seemed to do automatically to 124.

[lian1238]

Originally Posted by ace214 For the record, I had to go into fstab and change the gid from 46 which the command seemed to do automatically to 124.

Mine's 46 and it works.