Black Screen When Attempting Full Screen Kids' Game

SuperDad · Post by **SuperDad** » 15. Sep 2007, 10:15

I have my daughter signed up for Disney's Preschool Time Online. Since I'd rather not have to boot into Windows very often, I installed XP in Virtual Box, and then installed the Disney software.

When the Disney program runs, it switches to a full screen mode, but I only get a black screen. I know it's running because I can hear the audio but I can't see any of the video.

Does VB just not handle that kind of full screen app? What can I try to get it to work?

Thanks,
SuperDad

ps Am running VB from Ubuntu Feisty.

Post by **Ingo** » 16. Sep 2007, 19:09

Maybe this can also help you:
http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=1764

de.linux.user · Post by **de.linux.user** » 16. Sep 2007, 20:29

if the application is based on directX, it wont be possible to get it to work... in this case you can try to emulate the program via wine

KimChiMik · Post by **KimChiMik** » 17. Sep 2007, 02:02

To add to de.Linux.user's post if this program is based on directX there is a defct on this issue.

http://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/618

SuperDad · Post by **SuperDad** » 17. Sep 2007, 08:25

Well, I gave it 128 megs of video memory and still no dice.

I don't know for sure, but I doubt the video is DirectX based. It's more DOS game-like I think. Before it launches to full screen mode, I can see it changing the screen resolution to something that looks like 640x480 or maybe 800x600.

Anything else I should look at?

Thanks

SuperDad · Post by **SuperDad** » 17. Sep 2007, 08:41

Took a look at the files the game uses, and they seem to be .bik, which is a video game code from Rad Games or something. http://www.radgametools.com/

Shoud it play or should I give up?

Thanks

KimChiMik · Post by **KimChiMik** » 17. Sep 2007, 18:21

Doing a quick google search of your game i found this:

CPU: 600 MHz Pentium III or faster
RAM: 256 MB
Hard drive: 150 MB
Video card: Compatible Video Card with DirectX 8.1
CD-ROM: 20X
Operating System : Windows 98SE/ME/XP
Sound card : DirectX compatible

So it appears as you need directX 8.1 for this game.

Check out this bug and see if it applies to you:

http://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/618

SuperDad · Post by **SuperDad** » 17. Sep 2007, 19:16

Ah, ok, I guess you're right.

And yes, looking through the bug report, that does sound like what I'm experiencing.

It's good to know that it's an issue that's being looked at.

Thanks