VirtualBox lingers in memory as the existing VBoxSVC process just exited

[mhanor]

This is not particular to 4.2.6. Host: Windows 7 SP1 x64

Starting VirtualBox.exe as the existing VBoxSVC process is just exiting (normal termination a few seconds after the previous VirtualBox instance exited), the new VirtualBox process does nothing. It just lingers in memory. The issue can be reproduced if you correctly time your launch of the VirtualBox program, paying attention to the existing VBoxSVC process, taking into account how long ago the previous VirtualBox instance exited.

[mhanor]

VB 4.2.8 has the same problem.

[mhanor]

It's the same problem with VB 4.3.11 rev93259. The VirtualBox process actually returns an error, after some time:

Callee RC: 
CO_E_SERVER_EXEC_FAILURE (0x80080005)

To rephrase the issue: when launching VirtualBox, just when the VirtualBox COM service (VBoxSVC) is about to close (normal termination, after the previous, last instance of VirtualBox, was closed), the new VirtualBox process fails to syncronize with the existing (about to be closed) VBoxSVC process. In the end, it fails with the above error.

[frank]

Could you test this build? This build contains fixes which hopefully fix your problem.

[mhanor]

I will test it, but it's difficult to reproduce the issue at will, because I can't control the timing. A small note: the setup you provided, manages to crash one of the msiexec process that are launched during the installation process. It crashes every time I install, using that setup. I've never seen such an event, until now.

[mhanor]

I think it's fine now. At least, during the critical time interval, I now see two VBoxSVC processes, the exiting one and the newly launched service. The old service terminates, while the VM is successfully started. Before this, I think I've never seen two VBoxSVC processes, running at the same time.

[frank]

Thanks for the feedback! I now have another test build which should also fix the installation problems you have, just in case you still have problems with installing this build.

[mhanor]

The 4.3.11-93549 setup also triggers a crash in a msiexec process. It doesn't crash if I allow the installation of the Bridged Networking drivers. The crash occurs in the module described by this MSI log line:

Invoking remote custom action. DLL: C:\windows\Installer\MSIA9F5.tmp, Entrypoint: InstallNetFlt

The older test build, 4.3.11-93259, doesn't have this problem.

[frank]

mhanor, we think that we also fixed this crash. Could you download + install this package and test again? Thank you!

[mhanor]

Indeed, it's ok now.

[frank]

Thanks again for the feedback! Fix is part of VBox 4.3.12.

[JustTryingToHelp]

Sorry to reopen this ticket but I have the same crash installing 4.3.12-93733 (official download version).

[mhanor]

Please open a new ticket. You also need to give details about your OS and if you customized the VirtualBox installation. You might want to redownload the setup and try to reinstall it.

[JustTryingToHelp]

You could be right, maybe I should of opened a new ticket. That's why I said "sorry" in the first place. But why haven't you followed your own advice by opening a new ticket when you noticed the same problem? Oh, wait, this is YOUR ticket and they were YOUR time and energy to waste opening a new ticket; but, obviously, you have no problem asking others to do the same thing you didn't.

Just so you know, I posted here ONLY because you posted about this problem too.

[mhanor]

I wasn't criticizing you. The original issue was different, indeed, but I considered important to mention the crash with the test build. And I wasn't going to open a ticket for something that's not a final build.