@HJ if you have had no problems with VMM and Arch Linux then I suspect that it may be VBox that doesn't play nice with Arch and Arch-type distros.

this is one of those 'facts' that i was always suspicious of.   

I've reinstalled EndeavourOS in VBox with the LXQt desktop. I have installed one package (Google Chrome) from the AUR. I'll see how it goes over the next few days.

Cool, enjoy

I haven't had trouble with EndeavourOS when installed on the rails. I have had trouble with Arch, Manjaro and now EndeavourOS in VBox. Maybe I'm just unlucky or choose the wrong mirrors.