how to access external usb hdd on guest os installed in vmware server?

[System Engineer]

how to access external usb hdd on guest os installed in vmware server?


i have added usb controller in vmware server but still not able access the same


base os : vista
wmware server
guest os : RHEL 5

[Matti_Kurkela]

Please see article 1008576 in the VMware Knowledge Base.

http://kb.vmware.com/

Direct link (I hope it works?):

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=1008576

MK

[Hakki Aydin Ucar]

Hi

It is an ambiguous issue according to forums and people who experienced this problem.

I will recommend most mentioned simple solution ,did you try plugging it in BEFORE you start the virtual machine ?

[System Engineer]

yeah i have connected my USB HDD before powering on the Guest OS.

[Matti_Kurkela]

Step 1 of the document I linked to my previous reply:

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1. Confirm that the virtual machine guest window currently has focus by clicking into the virtual machine's console window.

USB devices can only be connected when it has focus or is in full-screen mode, otherwise the USB devices are connected to the host.

Both the host and guest cannot access the same USB device simultaneously. Using window focus tells VMware how to direct the device connection event. The keyboard and mouse are the one exception[...]

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I think this means the guest must be running and active *before* you plug in the USB HDD, otherwise the host OS will catch the plug-in event and will take the device for itself.

MK