Shared Folders failing on access

[Robert]

Ubuntu 8.10 64-Bit host, Windows XP SP3 32-Bit guest.

When accessing shared files on the shared folder, often the shared folders file access fails. This includes directory browsing, file access, file deletion, or other operations. Other times, the access works fine. The issue appears random - but generally occurs after inactivity. Shared folders have been shared as a Mapped Drive under XP.

I have disabled the Mapped Drive timeout (​http://support.microsoft.com/kb/297684 = "net config server /autodisconnect:-1"), and have also added 'vboxsvr' to the hosts file as 127.0.0.1 to try to solve the problem - no success.

Accessing files returns "unknown error occurred while accessing [file]". Refreshing the directory after this failure results in "E:\ is not accessible. The request is not supported." Refreshing the directory after a 'timeout', then the directory is displayed, and files are accessible again.

Logfile attached immediately after this issue occurred. VM was still running and active.

[Robert]

Logfile from Running VM immediately after shared folder issues occurred

[Robert]

Also just tried to remove the 'copy from different zone' messages - no change to VM.

Reference: ​http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/disable-the-annoying-this-page-has-an-unspecified-potential-security-risk-when-using-files-on-a-network-share/ Reference: ​http://chris.pirillo.com/remove-the-ie-drag-drop-prompt/

Just to see if it was the intranet zone detection failure issues ... no change to the shared folders, but the change was effective and noted active when used across a VPN shared folder link.

Still trying options ...

[mandrake1988]

Having the same issue here, shared folders on guest system randomly fail with "The request is not supported" message.

Host system: Ubuntu 9.10 x64
Guest: Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3
Occured with vbox version 3.1.6 and 3.1.8 (just updated) - guest additions are up to date. The log entries when accessing the shared folder do not contain any (obvious) error message.

Shared folder is mapped via network drive and, as indicated in original bug report, only randomly fails (may be my imagination, but for me it seems like it most often fails after issuing a "delete file" command via context menu. The "Would you really like to delete" dialog does NOT appear)...

Problem does not occur on Ubuntu 9.04 host with vbox 3.1.6 as well as Ubuntu 10.04 host with 3.1.6, all running Windows XP Prof SP3.
Will check Ubuntu 10.04 with vbox 3.1.8 tonight ...

Logfile will be attached shortly.

[mandrake1988]

mandrake1988_winxp_prof_sp3_2010_05_18

[PVillela]

I encountered a similar problem today with VirtualBox 3.2 on Ubuntu 10.04 32 bit host, Windows XP SP3 guest. From the guest, on a shared folder, I could only access a random subset of subfolders. Creation of subfolders from the guest was not working. I reverted to VirtualBox 3.1.8 and at least for now I can see all the subfolders of the shared folder in question.

[matteo sisti sette]

I still have this issue with Ubuntu 10.04 (32 bit) host VirtualBox 3.2.8 Windows 7 (64bit) guest Guest additions updated after updating virtualbox to 3.2.8

Writing files to shared folder randomly fails sometimes. The error message depends on the application trying to write the file.

My shared folder is mapped as a network drive.

[Robert]

Wow. It's been over a year, and I'm still experiencing the exact same problem ...

Host: Ubuntu 10.04 x64 Guest: Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 Issue has occurred with every VirtualBox version including 3.2.8 (just updated) Guest additions are up to date - absolutely love multiple monitors! (JOY!)

Although, I've now got quite used to the 'workarounds': 1). Never right-click an item in the Shared Folder (i.e. for Delete or other operations) 2). Disable all icons/apps/etc. in the right-click Menu 3). Never try to delete a file using Explorer in the VM - do it in the Shared Folder from Ubuntu only.

It appears to be some incompatibility issue (predominantly) within Windows Explorer accessing the shared folder. Very interesting since it appears to cross operating systems! (Windows XP/32 Bit in my case, and Windows 7/64 Bit in the case above).

Nothing new to report - willing to test if someone can tell me what to test or to look for. Nothing obvious in the VirtualBox Machine logs either.

[mmm4m5m]

I am not sure if it is the same issue. I use Debian(squeeze) host + VBox 3.2.10 + WinXP (SP2). Two guests - one works fine (old installation). The other one have strange/random/mystery problems with shared folders (fresh install with IE8). The main problem is - I am not able to delete files from subfolders. Also I am not able to right click and "edit" text files inside notepad.

Obviously it is M$ fault - why one WinXP guest works and the other one does not work! I did try to disable "Authentication tab" for "Local area connection", "Wireless zero config" and few more (random) things... Finally, I found one easy workaround (kind of solution): map shared folder as a drive and open command prompt. After that, everything works for me.

For example, I have 2 shared folders X: and Y:, so I created one shortcut: "cmd.exe /K cmd.exe /K Y:" and startup/default directory is X:. That is how both shared folders works - keep both drives always open.