Because the description in the help and manual is very poor

and others have had similar problems, I decided to write this

guide after lots of trials.

Original it was posted in the Windows Hosts section for XP
guest, but has now added Windows 7 settings.

How to add a physical serial port.
In Guest Settings for Serial Ports set as follow
Port1: Checked
Port Number: COM1
Port Mode: Host Device
Windows Host:
Port/File Path: COM1:
Note the colon in COM1: (not semicolon). I have experienced
the guest could become unstable without it.
For a host port number higher than 9, the
naming \\.\comX where X is the port number, is required. This
can also be used for a one digit port number.
Linux Host:
Port/File Path: /dev/ttyS1
For other COM port than 1 replace the digit with port number.

Also remember the IRQ and I/O Port settings.
If the guest needs to see another port than COM1, change the
Port Number to the requested port.
If using a user defined IRQ for the guest, IO APIC may have to
be enabled.

Save the settings and start the guest.

Open the Device Manager in the guest and go to the Ports
(COM & LPT) section.
If you see a COM3 port with a yellow warning icon skip the
following sections.

XP:
Open Add Hardware from the Control Panel.
After searching for hardware select Yes, I have already
connected the hardware and Next.
Go to the bottom and select Add a new hardware device
Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list
Select Ports (COM & LPT)
Select Communication Port from Standard port types.
Continue with Next until finished.
WIN7:
From the Action menu select Add legacy hardware.
Select Next, Install the hardware that I manually select from
a list and Next
Select Ports (COM & LPT) and Next
Select Communication Port from Standard port types.
Continue with Next and Finish.

In the Device Manager you should now see the COM3 port with
a yellow warning icon.

Open Properties for the COM3 port.
Select Advanced from Port Settings.
Choose COM1 from the COM Port Number (Ignore possible 'In
Use')
In the Resources tab select Set Configuration Manually if you
see it.
In Windows 7 uncheck Use automatic settings
Select the configuration that corresponds to the VirtualBox
settings as noted likely configuration 0000.
Close the box and you should be asked to reboot.
After reboot the COM1 port should now be working.

How to add an USB serial port.
Important: Depending on version 'VirtualBox Extension Pack'
must be installed to use an USB serial adapter.

You have the choice of installing the device USB driver on the
host or cancel this installation, but the VirtualBox's host
routing must be installed when the device is accessed for the
first time in the guest.

In guest Settings for USB set as follow
Enable USB Controller: Checked
Enable USB 2.0: Checked
Add the driver (e.g. FTDI USB <-> Serial)

Save the settings and start the guest.

From the menu or status bar of VirtualBox frame check the
Serial Port in the USB section.
Install the USB driver in the guest - I have found it is a good
idea to restart the guest after the host routing is done and
before the driver installation. If still a problem with the USB
initializing the following procedure usually will do the job link.

In the guest the port number can be changed in the Device
Manager, as well as settings for buffers, timers, etc.
Last edited by jorgensen on 22. Jun 2013, 17:31, edited 9 times in
total.
jorgensen

Posts: 479
Joined: 20. Oct 2009, 01:22
Primary OS: MS Windows XP