Network Limited Conectivity & Virtual-Box

Question

Just bought a new Dell Inspiron 3137 laptop, with 64-bit Windows 8.0 installed (not 8.1). I have four legacy 16-bit programs (Bible study, Sermon editor/reference, 2 games) that I need to use as cannot find more recent versions on the market.  So initially
tried to use MS Virtual-PC but it would not install, so then installed Virtual-Box followed by Win-Xp. The W8 OS now (after serious setup efforts) connects ok under Wi-Fi and Ethernet to the internet and to computers on my home network.  But Virtual-Box
and Xp fails! looking at my "Networks" W8 pop-up window I see an entry of "Unidentified Network" and that it has limited connectivity. Xp indicates "connected" but received packet count is 0.
Think this is a result of my attempts & connections under Virtual-Box.  I go to Network and Sharing Center and find first 2 category are enabled but  "All Networks" entry is disabled/off and I cannot find any way to enable! I go to
"Network Connections page and I see 6 entries (Bluetooth, Netgear router, broadband, Virtual-Box, etc). I run the troubleshooter on the Virtual-Box link and am informed that it cannot fix & no useful help provided to me by system!  No progress
w/ comparability mode on legacy programs.
I have initially informed Dell Technical support then most recently Oracle of this problem >>> both say it is not their product malfunctioning and that errors are in configuration of Windows-8 >> but no help.
This is serious irritation as have already wasted about 40 hours chasing/messing with this problem  >>>> NEED HELP AND SUGGESTIONS - PLEASE!
Thanks .....

Answer 1

Thanks Kevin for the reply, but no progress here.  I am completely new to Windows 8.0 and slightly new to any networking, so keep that in mind should you decide to reply again,  A.K.A., I might need a bit of step-by-step assistance .....
The symptoms here : My new Dell computer finally now connects by wi-fi to home network, has always connected to internet. I am using Virtual-Box v4.12.18 w/ Xp Pro, SP-3. Under Xp in Network I note that it shows "Connected" but received packet
count is 0, sent packet count is hundreds. Looking within W8 at advanced settings, I see 3 network types, 1) Private = enabled, 2) Guest = enabled, 3) All = NOT enabled (and I can find no click, link or setting that
will enable). Have tried with Network Discovery on & off, and with File Sharing on & off, and with 56-bit & 128-bit encryption selected alternatively. So run the Troubleshooter = first pass informed
it could not fix problem : later, troubleshooter stated it fix some problem(s) with incoming connections = at that point I looked and found that under W8 both sent & received packet count was into low thousand but Xp still showed 0 receive.
When I look at Networks under W8 I see "Netgear52" W/ no errors, then see either "Unidentified Network (limited connectivity) OR randomly  see "VirtualBox (Limited Connectivity) and so think Netgear52 is what I should be using.
Again under W8 networking pages, I try "Setup Network - Chose Wireless Router" am asked for SSID (whatever?) but showing nothing after 10-minutes. Have made all efforts both with & without Firewall on Xp & I think on W8 also, no changes
to Security Essentials  Xp is in NAT mode and have not yet tried "Bridged."  
"ipconfig?"
Base system here are : Dell 3137 Inspiron laptop, Win 8.0 + Win-Xp Pro. Motorola Surfboard cable modem. Netgear52 router. Various home networked Eithernet connected computers. Various Tablet & eBook readers connected Wi-Fi. No other component is
reporting any errors and all work Ok.  Xp is Ok except zero connectivity to Internet and home network.  Need to get Xp connected so can access data for legacy programs off home & church networks.
So your help seriously appreciated!    Bill