If you look at the bottom of this page:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,3122,00.html

You will notice it says:

"PLEASE NOTE: The mileage accrual of United marketed code share flights operated by other carriers is based on the accrual rule of the operating carrier."

So the mileage you get is based on Virgin Blue and not UA.

And from this page:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0...,00.html#jump3

It says:

"You can earn miles toward elite status on all the airlines of the global Star Alliance network, including United."

So by piecing together the 2 bits of information you can not earn EQM on code share partners other than *A partners. Virgin Blue is not in the *A so even though it had a UA flight number as a code share it is not eligible for EQM's.

I admit United does not make it easy to figure these things out. And as a member of FlyerTalk you have a wealth of information at your fingertips. First try a search for the information and if you can't find it ask the question. Be sure to state you tried a search or some will immediately say "Try a search".

Sorry for the bad news about the EQM's but now you know.