32-bit Windows XP guest hangs on 64-bit guest Ubuntu

[Adam Ryczkowski]

Windows XP SP2 and SP3 hangs just after installing. It has something to do with services, since disabling most services (by using "safe mode" or disabling them manualy) buys some time, but eventually windows GUI hangs anyway.

This is pretty much a show stopper, since you are just forbidden from using any Windows XP on my host (I haven't tried other guest OSes, but I have tried three different Windows XP: SP2, and two SP3)

From guest perspective, during this "hanging" you can still press alt+ctr+del to invoke task manager, but you are pretty forbidden from making any disk browsing related activity, like seeing "my cumputer" or just browsing for files in standard file dialog box. Launching explorer hangs on displaying menu start bar.

Normally I would assume it is some problem with Windows, but I have spent many days on tracking this problem and it seems clear it is related to VirtualBox: a) I am able to install and run the same Windowses XP on VMWare Workstation on the same host without any problem b) When I install the same windowses on physical partition as host operating system (i.e. without virtualization) I have no problems. c) and when I run those no-virtual Windowses as VirtualBox guests (after changing hal, stopping necessary hardware-related services, and other stuff done by OfflineSysPrep) I experience the same problem.

[Frank Mehnert]

Please reopen if still relevant with VBox 4.2.12.