Windows XP guest won't install Direct3D support

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
Post Reply
ElapheGutatta
Posts: 3
Joined: 6. Jul 2021, 23:15

Windows XP guest won't install Direct3D support

Post by ElapheGutatta »

So, I'm setting up a Windows XP VM because I'm looking to play The Sims 2, which requires DirectX 9.0 support. I'm on VirtualBox 6.1.22 r144080 and I've given it the following video settings for 3D acceleration:
3daccelsettings.gif
3daccelsettings.gif (30.58 KiB) Viewed 5090 times
Every tutorial I've looked at about getting DirectX working mentions needing to enable "enhanced 3D acceleration", but I don't see that anywhere so I just have the only acceleration setting I can find enabled. I don't have any hardware virtualization settings involving acceleration enabled.

Here are the rest of my VM configuration settings and the information I could find about my host.
configsettings.gif
configsettings.gif (65.05 KiB) Viewed 5090 times
Host Info:
Device name DESKTOP-MKAQ0JU
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10750H CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.59 GHz
Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.8 GB usable)
Device ID A5ABC623-FE20-4FA3-9F80-A65FF775B6CC
Product ID 00330-53406-27285-AAOEM
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 20H2
Installed on ‎2/‎13/‎2021
OS build 19042.1052
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.2020.0

Whether I have paravirtualization enabled or not, when I try to install the Guest Additions disc in safe mode, it won't let me install Direct3D support - it's greyed out and I can't even select it. The rest of Guest Additions installed without issue.
guestadditionswontinstall.gif
guestadditionswontinstall.gif (45.48 KiB) Viewed 5090 times
I have 256 MB of RAM and 3D acceleration enabled like it says I should. At least from the tutorials I've been able to find, it doesn't seem like I'm doing anything wrong, so I don't understand why it isn't working. Why is this the case and is there anything I can do to fix it?
Elaphe Gutatta - they/them
I just want to play some games and look at shiny Windows XP graphics. Not much else to say.
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Windows XP guest won't install Direct3D support

Post by mpack »

VirtualBox 6.1.x has dispensed with 3D acceleration for XP (*). If you want 3D acceleration then you have to stick with 6.0.x.
Post Reply