Ubuntu – Unable to view/connect usb devices to a virtualbox guest from ubuntu host

usbvirtualbox

I'm trying to connect an NXT Robot to a windows XP guest in Virtualbox, I have installed virtualbox's Extension Pack. Not a single usb device shows up in virtual box, yet lsusb shows they are all connected to my host.

william@ubuntu-laptop:~$ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 005: ID 0694:0002 Lego Group Mindstorms NXT
Bus 002 Device 004: ID 049f:0051 Compaq Computer Corp. KU-0133 Easy Access Interner Keyboard
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 1c4f:0034 SiGma Micro 
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 1bcf:2c18 Sunplus Innovation Technology Inc. 
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

As you can see, my robot is connected on the first usb, yet nothing shows in Vbox, not even mouse and keyboard, is vbox hiding them by default since they not a storage device? (I have not tried connecting a usb key) I need to way to force Vbox to forward control of the device through the guest, where I can connect it to the RobotC IDE.

I installed Vbox through the software centre. It is version 4.3.26 (Latest, only installed it today)

Best Answer

The proplem was I wasn't part of the vboxuser group. For those with the same problem:

First make sure you have the Virtualbox Extension Pack, this allows use of usb 2.0. usb 3.0 is not yet supported.

Added yourself to the vboxuser group:

sudo usermod -a -G vboxusers <useruame>

Log out then back in for the change to take effect

Enable USB 2.0 (EHCI) controller in the settings for you vm

If you need more help see this topic

Credit to Takkat

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