USB not recognized on Mac after configuring VirtualBox

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jay_agno Author

Level 1

0 points

USB not recognized on Mac after configuring VirtualBox

This problem is somehow related to my previous post: VirtualBox on Mac

In that thread, my problem is that I don't know how to run a Windows Vista using VirtualBox.

After sometime, thank God, I was able to run Vista.

My next problem was, during Vista in VB, my USBs are not being recognized.

After sometime, it was able to recognize my USBs by following these steps:

1. Open VirtualBox

2. Clicked Settings

3. Ports > USB

4. In USB Device Filters, I added a "New Filter 1"

5. I run my Vista using VirtualBox, (Now I was able to make my Vista recognized my USBs)

Though, when I turned off my Vista, and then turned off also my VB.

When I plugged in my USBs, my mac doesn't recognized them. 😟

I thought it was a hardware problem, but then I run again Vista using VB, and it is able to recognize my USBs.

Turning off again the Vista and VB, I did these:

* Uncheck the New Filter 1 and restart

* Remove New Filter 1 and restart

* Erase Vista and restart

* Erase VB and restart

Still, nothing happened. 😢

I tried everything, even searching on google.

I also did the reset of PRAM, but still the same.

I also read something about the hardware problem, but I don't think it is a hardware problem because when I do this:

1. About this Mac

2. More Info

3. System Report

4. Hardware > USB

My ImationFlashDriv is being recognized, but in Finder and Disk Utility it is not being recognized. 😢

I'm really sorry if this is sounding like a crying for help for spoonfeeding.

I already posted my problem in VirtualBox forums, but I got no replies.

Please, I'm begging you guys to help me.

It feels like I just destroyed my Mac.

I really don't know what to do. 😢

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2), 13-inch

Posted on Jan 22, 2012 10:13 PM

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Answer 1

jay_agno Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2012 3:49 AM in response to jay_agno

Edited:

Ok, so its not really hardware problem, I inserted a HUWAII device (Not sure of the spelling though),

but what it does is that, it is a USB that when you insert it, you'll be able to have an internet connection.

(For those people in the Philippines, it's what you call Smart Bro, Globe Tattoo, etc.)

Right now, I'm able to internet because of this device.

(a) But I can't see it in my Finder, Disk Utility, nor Terminal.

Though I'm able to run it.

I also tried plugging in my Ex HD to do a Time Machine update backup.

(b) I inserted it, again, I can't see it in Finder, Disk Utility, and Terminal, but when I do the "backup now", it is working!

So my theory is that, it is not a hardware problem because the Mac is able to recognize the device, its just that I can't see the "access point" (not sure of the term).

By the way, when I do:

1. About this Mac

2. More Info

3. System Report

4. Hardware > USB

Both (a) and (b) are recognized.

I already check the Preferences of Finder, but still, I don't see the "access points" for my USB.

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Answer 2

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Jan 23, 2012 4:22 AM in response to jay_agno

Hi again Jay, this is not a hardware problem at all: the USB stick is now exclusively assigned to the VM. It does not help to close or even remove the VB. I am not exactly sure it works the same in VB as in Parallels, but in Parallels you can assign per stick, maybe in VB you assign all sticks at the same setting. In Parallels you can set a stick so that it asks all the time to which OS you want to assign it only this time or if you want to assign it permanently. You have to reassign or relieve it in the VB settings ( I suppose you can do it also in Terminal): with VB running and the Windows VM open, look in he configuration of the VM (in the VB menu) and check all usb settings there, trash all these assignments settings and the next time you insert a stick, do not make the assignment permanent.

Edit: and of course after doing this, at best you restart not only the VM but also the mac.

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Answer 3

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Jan 23, 2012 6:26 AM in response to Lexiepex

And, Jay, I want to add that your USB Internet device is not representative for the USB: it is not the USB hardware that is assigned but the USB device you connect: there is a lot of difference between a internet device and a memory stick, that is why your internet stick "works" and your memory stick not: it works all right when you see it in the Windows Explorer, but you will not see it in Mac Finder or Mac Disk Utility (because it is not "mounted" in OSX, when exclusively assigned to the VM). With this knowledge you can easily solve this issue, I think.

Lex

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Answer 4

jay_agno Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2012 8:25 PM in response to Lexiepex

Thank you Sir Lex for your reply.

I just recently fixed this problem. 🙂

STORY

Basically, as I find a way to make my USB recognize in Vista (open in VB), I tapped this:

* Mac HD > System > Library > Extensions > IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext

* Drag and drop IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext to Desktop

* Run Vista on VB, and USB is now being able to recognized in Vista

* I closed Vista and VB. Then drag and drop IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext from Desktop to the Extensions (on Mac HD > System > Library > Extensions).

* Here is the problem, it wont let me drag and drop there, there is always an error. Though I forgot the error message.

* But since the USB is working in Vista, I just deleted the IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext, then emptied the Trash.

So when I plugged USB, it was not recognized in Mac, but recognized in Vista (on VB).

It took me a lot of time to debug/find the real problem, which is the wrong move I did on IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext.

SOLUTION

* Make sure you have your external drive of your time machine.

* Before you go "Enter Time Machine", go first to Mac HD > System > Library > Extensions

* Now "Enter Time Machine"

* Find the IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext, then restore it in the Mac HD > System > Library > Extensions.

* NOTE: Don't restore it in another folder, example, don't restore it in "Desktop", and then you will just copy-paste it in Extensions. IT WILL NOT WORK. You must restore it directly in Extesions folder.

* After that, wait for around 5 - 10 minutes, and then you will see that your USBs are now recognized. If not, try to reboot.

NOTE: I almost forgot, I also did this before doing step 1 of my solution:

* Both of Extensions and IOUSBMassStorageClass.kext, go to its "Get Info"

* Unlock it

* Make all to Read & Write

* Also add yourself, the admin.

That's all I did and my Mac is now back to normal! 😎

Though, my Vista again doesn't recognize my USBs, but I don't care, what's important is that I have my Mac safe and sound. May be I'll just use Dropbox so that I'll be able to somehow synchronize/access my files.

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Answer 5

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Jan 24, 2012 12:48 AM in response to jay_agno

Yes, basically this is a complicated way around the setting it in VB.... I think that when the kext file was unlocked in the first place it would have worked right away... The kext file being locked after a setting in VB is not normal, I suppose, but anyway, you looked in the right place, very good.

The problem with the VB setting not being accepted was obviously that the kext file was locked so it did not change when the setting in VB was changed. Now since you unlocked the kext file, you can find the setting in VB that it will ask to which OS you want to connect, if there is such a setting...

In Parallels: I set the sticks and cardreaders that I need for a only-Windows-Banking-App, to connect always to the VM, other sticks/readers just per case. BTW it only asks when the VM is running for a not-assigned stick.

Good work!

Lex

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