Starting VirtualBox breaks host networking

[zorko]

Just by starting VirtualBox, without running any virtual machine, my wireless network adapter stops working.

If I run ipconfig/all, everything looks exactly the same but the interface is no longer working.

I can work around it by resetting the interface with:

netsh interface set interface "Wireless Network Connection" disabled

followed by

netsh interface set interface "Wireless Network Connection" enabled

After this network connections will work form both the host and the guest.

I am running Windows Vista Home Premium as the host.

One thing perhaps worth mentioning is that although the wireless adapter is built-in in my notebook, it looks to Windows as a USB adapter.

[Chris Currie]

Same issue here with version 1.5.4.

I have a Toshiba Equium A200-IV0 laptop, Vista Home Premium 32 bit, Realtek Wireless 54Mbps USB adaptor.

Opening VirtualBox causes total loss of connection for the host. First noticed something was amiss when the register VirtualBox failed!

Thank you Zorko for the workaround, which at least gives me a chance to scope this product out :)

[EspadaV8]

I'm having exactly the same problem on a toshiba l40-pro running vista home basic 32bit. Googling it seems to be a Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG card, but since I haven't got the laptop with me at the moment I can't confirm this (or test out the workaround)

Andy

[riz]

Same issue here with version 1.6.2.

Vista Home Premium 32 bit host, on a Toshiba Equium L40-17M.

Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter (internal).

The workaround from zorko does not restore connectivity. The only way to do that seems to be to restart the laptop.

[greg86]

Same issue here with version 1.6.2. Same built in Realtek controller. Actually disabling and enabling the controller solves the problem, but it's still REALLY ANNOYING!

Please try to fix it.

[tAz]

Hi all,

I've just posted a heavy handed workaround to enable guest net connection on usb wireless cards. See #1712 for details :)

cheers, tAz

[Sander van Leeuwen]

Duplicate of #1712 (more info there).