Windows 7: Different Display Settings: WMWare & VirtualBox

Thanks, kado897.

I opened VBox in Safe Mode but got the same error message when installing VBox Guest Additions.

Don't hurry and worry.
Regards,

Flores

Are you installing XP in VBox as that message suggests? I though it was Win 7 you were installing.

Try and see what happens if you reply yes to the earlier message about basic 3D support.

If not then see what happens if you don't check the box for experimental 3D support.

OK time has run out again.

If the above fail to give you what you need there is one other thing you can try.

You need to edit the .VBOX file in a text editor and locate the <ExtraData> section

Add the highlighted line. The fields are width,height,color depth. Change those to whatever you need and you should then have that option in the screen sizes dropdown in windows.

Hello kado,

My system is Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bits. Sorry for not making myself clear from the beginning.

Yes, I have XP running in both VBox and VMWare.

Why?
Because of very important data collected along the years by old programs that don't run on Windows 7 and of my old and faithful HP flatbed scanner not supported by both Microsoft and HP.
Both these goals I have met using XP on VMWare and VBox.

My only (and not so important) problem now concerns the VBox display settings in which I'm not being able to adjust to (1280x800 pixels 32 bits), the one that gives me access to a full window screen without those annoying side and bottom slide bars, as when using VMW.

Regards,

Flores

Hi amflores. thanks for letting me know. Did you try my other suggestions?

I wonder whether XP is able handle widescreen displays. It is some time since I used XP and in those days the best you could get was 1024x768.

If it cant you may want to try running in a window in scale mode. View->scale mode (host+C)

Hi kado897,

No, I haven't tried your suggestions yet, but I will for sure.

Yes, XP handles 1280x800 pixels 32 bits, the one I'm using with VMWare, which gives me access to a full window screen without those annoying side and bottom slide bars.

1280x800 pixels 32 bits is not available on VBox "List All Modes" settings window.


Pls, check the attached different display settings windows (VMW x VBox). VMW is the left image.

This is what a newbie like me don't understand: How they can be different if I have used the same XP installation CD?

Regards,
Flores

The problem is not with XP. Sometimes things work better in VBox and sometimes in VMPlayer. I'll ask others on the forum if they have any ideas.

FWIW, XP on bare metal handles full 1940x1080 without any problem, given a decent card

Hello kado987,

I'm thankful for your efforts to help me.

Don't worry and hurry.

As I mentioned before, my only (and not so important) problem now concerns the VBox display settings in which I'm not being able to adjust to (1280x800 pixels 32 bits), the one that gives me access to a full window screen without those annoying side and bottom slide bars, as when using VMW.

Cheers,
Flores

That settings box looks like you don't have a decent driver installed in VBox? (Which version of VBox are you using?)
My install says 'Default Monitor on VirtualBox Graphics Adapter' (I don't have the experimental 3D installed, but do have the standard 3D)

I have to admit that the drivers do act buggy - but it may be that I'm playing hard and fast with the settings - and I frequently end up with a black screen
Try this

Start the VM with the standard settings, then stretch the window until it's the size you want. Now click on the View menu, and select 'Autoresize Guest Display'.

See what happens.