Tell me more ×
Ask Ubuntu is a question and answer site for Ubuntu users and developers. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

I have Windows XP installed in my VirtualBox. The integrated webcam is working fine in Ubuntu but Windows XP can't recognize it (can't find the webcam in device manager, and it doesn't ask for driver installation either). My computer is Lenovo T410 and I have installed Guest additions. What should I do now? Thank you.

UPDATE1: It works when I run virtualbox with root privileges, but this doesn't seem to be a good solution.

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 1 down vote

in settings, have virtualbox "list all usb devices"

If you still have USB problems, you can do what i do and start Virtualbox as root.

Is it recommended? No. Does it work? Does for me.

share|improve this answer
Yes, it works for me but it seems risky to do so, any idea to make it work without using root? – navie Nov 1 '12 at 6:35
Theres really no serious risk when running virtualbox as root. It cant make changes that would do anything of importance. Even if you did get a virus, it would be in the virtual machine, and wouldnt interact with the host. – TardisGuy Nov 2 '12 at 7:14
yeah, I know but if I don't need to run it as root, I can search it using the HUD; plus it's good to learn and understand the problem right? – navie Nov 2 '12 at 8:34
up vote 0 down vote

Some USB devices may need an USB-Filter rule in Virtual Box to be recognized.

This is done by adding an "empty" USB filter in the USB settings of your machine:

enter image description here

This may already help recognizing your device.

If the device was still not recognized we may further specify USB properties with a right click on the "New Filer 1". This opens a settings window with some explanatory tooltips for each entry:

enter image description here

The product ID and the vendor ID needed here for your webcam will be listed on

lsusb -v

Read also the Virtual Box manual for an explanation of these settings and how to get them.

For an USB device to be recognized proberly in Virtual Box we may have to upgrade it to the PUEL Version.

Some devices may still not be reliably detected. Rarely the Virtual Machine will be unable to boot when we had defined a filter for a certain USB device. This device then should not be included in the filter rules.

share|improve this answer
hi, I tried to enter the vendor ID and product ID but it still can't recognize the webcam. Not sure if PUEL version means the extension pack, but if that is the case, I have installed it already. When I try to run virtualbox with root privileges, my webcam does appear in the list and it works perfectly in my Guest OS. However, I don't think running as root is a good choice, any idea how to solve this? Thank you! – navie Nov 1 '12 at 6:40
@navie: are you in the user group vboxusers? See also askubuntu.com/questions/25596/set-up-usb-for-virtualbox – Takkat Nov 1 '12 at 8:31
yes, I am in that group but the webcam is still unlisted. – navie Nov 2 '12 at 8:31

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.