[Solved] Screen resolution too low, host: Linux, guest: Win XP SP3

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
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adkray
Posts: 3
Joined: 22. Jul 2021, 10:04

[Solved] Screen resolution too low, host: Linux, guest: Win XP SP3

Post by adkray »

My setup:
virtualbox-6.1_6.1.22-144080~Ubuntu~eoan_amd64.deb
Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-6.1.22.vbox-extpack
Host: Linux Mint 20.1 XFCE, guest: Windows XP SP3.
VBoxGuestAdditions_6.1.22.iso

Guest Addition with warnings installed.

After GA installation, I was offered max 1152x864 resolution. It's way too little.
During GA installation, there were three warnings of program not compatible with Windows, but I choose
to proceed anyway. As far as I can tell it's fine except too low screen resolution.

Not a compatible program was VBoxDrvInst.exe and warnings were for the drivers
video driver (two times)
mouse driver

I've found the post with a similar problem:
Can't change resolution to 1920x1080 it always stays 1920x975
Post by Shaske » 8. Sep 2020, 17:42
(it's my first post so I am subject to restrictions under the forum rules)
It was resolved via registry tweak, but every time I change computer monitor native screen resolution will also change, so more universal solution is needed.

Three logs are attached.
Log #2 refers to installing Windows XP SP3 as a guest system.
Log #1 refers to the installation of GA and contains some text in red.
The latest log refers to the session after installation of GA; screen resolution set to 1152x864.
Attachments
VirtualBox Logs.zip
(77.52 KiB) Downloaded 13 times
Last edited by adkray on 31. Jul 2021, 13:03, edited 2 times in total.
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Screen resolution too low, host: Linux, guest: Win XP SP3

Post by scottgus1 »

Everything seems to be OK in the final log. 6.1.22 GAs are loaded, matching the 6.1.22 official Virtualbox on the host.
adkray wrote:there were three warnings of program not compatible with Windows, but I choose to proceed anyway.
This is normal, for XP GAs at least. Proceeding anyway is the correct choice. Later GAs for Windows 7 and later have trust certificates.

I take it that the 1152x864 size is the maximum size shown in the XP dropdown. What happens if you put the VM in full-screen, via the VM window's View menu?
adkray
Posts: 3
Joined: 22. Jul 2021, 10:04

Re: Screen resolution too low, host: Linux, guest: Win XP SP3

Post by adkray »

Yes, the 1152x864 size is the maximum size shown in the XP screen resolution menu.
VirtualBox full-screen: this is the problem. While VM is set to full-screen, only part of the screen is dedicated to guest Windows.
Attachments
VirtualBox session printscreen small 450.png
VirtualBox session printscreen small 450.png (125.29 KiB) Viewed 6733 times
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Screen resolution too low, host: Linux, guest: Win XP SP3

Post by scottgus1 »

Try the View menu, enable "Auto Resize Guest Display".
adkray
Posts: 3
Joined: 22. Jul 2021, 10:04

Re: Screen resolution too low, host: Linux, guest: Win XP SP3

Post by adkray »

It seems VirtualBox 6.1.22 doesn't provide "Auto Resize Guest Display" option, but the problem is solved (automagically).
While VM is launched with full screen, then the guest system starts with the resolution 1152x864, as in the image attached to the previous post.
But it's enough to click maximize button on the VM window (VM window decreases to the size of the guest system window 1152x864) and then click maximize button again to have not only VM restored to the full screen, but also to have the guest system window enlarged to the full screen resolution.
And it's permanent, the guest system window keeps max resolution.
Thank you scottgus1 for your assistance, your note about the smaller size of the VM window has led to finding a solution.
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