VirtualBox 3.0.6 Linux Host - Windows XP guest - Not functioning after upgrade

[Claudio]

I've just upgraded from 2.2.4 to 3.0.6 and my WinXP guest machine does not work anymore. It goes to the login window, then after a few seconds shows a blue screen quickly and reboots the virtual machine. It loops this behavior.

But, if I press F8 and choose to run Windows guest with the last environment that was ok, then I can load it fine.

In time: I run the VirtualBox Guest Additions to upgrade it to 3.0.6, but when I access my Windows guest machine upon pressing F8, I notice that the Guest Additions version showed in the tray icon is 2.2.4.

My environment: Ubuntu 9.04 Linux 2.6.28-15-generic GNOME 2.26.1

The guest machine: Windows XP SP3 (was working fine in VirtualBox 2.2.4)

Attached files: The virtual machine log file and the xml configuration file

Thanks for any help.

[Claudio]

Virtual Box Log File

[Claudio]

XML File of VirtualBox Windows guest

[Sander van Leeuwen]

According to the log there's a mix of 2.2.4 & 3.0.6 additions. Perhaps that's causing the problem. Could you try to boot into safe mode and uninstall the additions?

[Claudio]

Yes, I noticed this issue in the log file. I tried to do what you've suggested. Although I did the uninstall through the correct application in Windows, the xml file still kept the lines referring both versions of Guest Additions. And the virtual machine still with problems.

Any other clue?

[Frank Mehnert]

That's normal after the uninstallation. After you uninstalled the old additions, try to install the 3.0.6 additions, reboot and then check the .xml file (better attach it here again).

[Claudio]

Ok, but now, when I click in the menu option to install the guest additions, nothing happens. No msg box, no wizard, notihing. I can't install it again.

Although the Guest Additions is not showing anymore in the list of programs to uninstall of Windows Control Panel, it's icon still showing in system tray, and the mouse over says it's 2.2.4r47978 version. And in My Computer area there's still a VirtualBox Guest Additions (D:) icon.

What can I do to fix this and then try to install the 3.0.6 Guest Additions?

[Frank Mehnert]

The menu point Install Guest Additions... does not more than mount an .ISO containing the installer for the guest additions. If nothing happens after you selected this menu point then you should open the CDROM drive of the guest manually and select autoplay.

[Claudio]

New .xml file

[Claudio]

Frank, I tried your tip, but with no success at first sight.

Let's se what happened:

1. Opened the DVD (iso) drive, the instalation started ok.
2. At the end, I clicked on "Finish" button and the machine restarted.
3. When it was starting I did not press the F8 key to see if it was booting ok.
4. A blue screen at boot time showed quickly and the boot process looped.
5. I closed the initial boot screen (when VirtualBox shows) to stop the boot loop.
6. I started again the machine by pressing F8 at this time and choosed "the last configuration" option (this is the way I can now, since this problem begined, boot and I'm able to work).
7. Now, with the Windows on again, I can see the Guest Additions icon at system tray, but still with 2.2.4 version.
8. But, in "add / remove programs" in Windows Control Panel application, now I can see the "Sun VirtualBox Guest Additions 3.0.6" application.

I'm sending you the .xml file again. Hope this can help.

What can be the next step? Should I remove the 3.0.6 Guest Additions? Is there another way that I can help you in your analysis?

And thanks a lot for the spended time!