OT-ish: Calibre in VirtualBox/Linux running Windows XP Client

Gwen Morse · 04-07-2011, 04:31 PM

I've just installed my first virtual machine environment. My base OS is Fedora 13, with a virtual instance of Windows XP as the guest OS. It's nifty (once you get past the 4 hours of Windows Update).

That said, it's not recognizing my Kindle, at all. I know it's not Calibre's fault (hence the OT in the subject), because the Kindle isn't available to the guest OS to browse when plugged in via USB. If it was Calibre having problems, I would still be able to browse the files on the Kindle.

From searching the forums I have seen other people running virtual machines with Calibre, so I expect their readers would work as well (is this a bad assumption???) I was hoping someone more experienced with VirtualBox might be able to point me in the right direction?

Manichean · 04-07-2011, 05:09 PM

Moderator Notice
Moved to proper forum.

I know some virtualizing software allows passing through of USB devices. Is that an option?

Gwen Morse · 04-07-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manichean

Moved to proper forum.
I know some virtualizing software allows passing through of USB devices. Is that an option?

Thanks for moving this

.

I believe VirtualBox allows it, to confirm I'll google for VirtualBox and USB passthrough and see if that brings up anything useful....

theducks · 04-07-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwen Morse

Thanks for moving this

.

I believe VirtualBox allows it, to confirm I'll google for VirtualBox and USB passthrough and see if that brings up anything useful....

Doh! Why not run the Linux version of Calibre?
Or is this one of those 'Cuz I can do it!' things

Gwen Morse · 04-07-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Doh! Why not run the Linux version of Calibre?
Or is this one of those 'Cuz I can do it!' things

I do run the Linux version. But, I can't remove the DRM from my Amazon ebooks that way, I need to boot into Windows to run Kindle For PC.

I'm learning about Virtual Machines as a way to get away from having to boot into Windows, ever again. I plan to use a final Windows 7 version to play games and deal with Windows-only DRM (Netflix, Amazon Unboxed, etc). This Windows XP setup is just the sandbox for me to play in, break things, fix things and learn How Things Are Done.

As far as using a Virtual Machine in general, yah, that's probably mostly "Cuz I can do it". I have too many Windows games I'm fond of that aren't working under wine and I've gotten tired of switching between OSes. I could keep booting in one or the other, but, I don't wanna

.

theducks · 04-07-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwen Morse

I do run the Linux version. But, I can't remove the DRM from my Amazon ebooks that way, I need to boot into Windows to run Kindle For PC.

I'm learning about Virtual Machines as a way to get away from having to boot into Windows, ever again. I plan to use a final Windows 7 version to play games and deal with Windows-only DRM (Netflix, Amazon Unboxed, etc). This Windows XP setup is just the sandbox for me to play in, break things, fix things and learn How Things Are Done.

As far as using a Virtual Machine in general, yah, that's probably mostly "Cuz I can do it". I have too many Windows games I'm fond of that aren't working under wine and I've gotten tired of switching between OSes. I could keep booting in one or the other, but, I don't wanna

.

Manichean · 04-08-2011, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwen Morse

As far as using a Virtual Machine in general, yah, that's probably mostly "Cuz I can do it". I have too many Windows games I'm fond of that aren't working under wine and I've gotten tired of switching between OSes. I could keep booting in one or the other, but, I don't wanna

.

And running Windows in a virtual box offers enough performance for playing games? I'd imagined that for relatively recent games, you'd need to dual boot in order for them to run smoothly. The only real experience I have with VMs for gaming is ScummVM, and I run that on my cellphone, so it doesn't count

chaley · 04-08-2011, 03:50 AM

A year ago (or so) when I last played with virtualbox, I had to use the non-OS version to get USB pass-through to work. Don't know if that is still the case, or if you are already running the non-OS version.

mrmikel · 04-08-2011, 06:33 AM

At least in Windows you have to run an add on pack to get the usb ports to work, as I understand it. They provide it on the site.

Gwen Morse · 04-14-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmikel

At least in Windows you have to run an add on pack to get the usb ports to work, as I understand it. They provide it on the site.

Yes, I've discovered they've separated out several drivers into an add-on. Downloaded and installed it.

I wanted the Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack.

Now my Kindle shows up but it's greyed out. At least I've made progress.

04-07-2011, 04:31 PM	#1
Gwen Morse Addict Posts: 254 Karma: 59872 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New York, USA Device: Kindle 3 (wifi) + nokia n900 tablet phone	OT-ish: Calibre in VirtualBox/Linux running Windows XP Client I've just installed my first virtual machine environment. My base OS is Fedora 13, with a virtual instance of Windows XP as the guest OS. It's nifty (once you get past the 4 hours of Windows Update). That said, it's not recognizing my Kindle, at all. I know it's not Calibre's fault (hence the OT in the subject), because the Kindle isn't available to the guest OS to browse when plugged in via USB. If it was Calibre having problems, I would still be able to browse the files on the Kindle. From searching the forums I have seen other people running virtual machines with Calibre, so I expect their readers would work as well (is this a bad assumption???) I was hoping someone more experienced with VirtualBox might be able to point me in the right direction?

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04-07-2011, 05:09 PM	#2
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	Moderator Notice Moved to proper forum. I know some virtualizing software allows passing through of USB devices. Is that an option?

04-08-2011, 03:50 AM	#8
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,734 Karma: 6690881 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	A year ago (or so) when I last played with virtualbox, I had to use the non-OS version to get USB pass-through to work. Don't know if that is still the case, or if you are already running the non-OS version.

04-08-2011, 06:33 AM	#9
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	At least in Windows you have to run an add on pack to get the usb ports to work, as I understand it. They provide it on the site.