Bug with VBoxManage guestcontrol from Guest Additions v7

[fth0]

You're probably running into a known bug (#21774), that has already been fixed for the next release update. If you provide two virtual screens and the second one is turned off, both virtual screens get turned off. Either configure the VM to only provide one virtual screen, or turn on the second virtual screen from the VM window's menu.

After you've solved this issue, update the VirtualBox Guest Additions (in the guest) to 7.0.10.

The VBox.log file shows that you have the VirtualBox Extension Pack 7.0.10 installed now, so the current contents of /usr/lib/virtualbox/ExtensionPacks are probably no surprise now.

Edit:
Added the link to the Bugtracker ticket.

[TVG]

Under Settings>Display, I changed Monitor Count from 2 to 1. Now it works fine. I was able to update the Guest Additions. I understand that I won't be able to use two screens for the VM until the next release. Correct? (No big deal for me).

I've tried again the VBoxManage guestcontrol command. There is no change. Calculator opens correctly but Microsoft Word goes to the "Background processes".

[fth0]

I understand that I won't be able to use two screens for the VM until the next release. Correct?

I'm not so sure. What happened when you tried the other alternative I proposed? Please provide the (zipped) Windows_10_VM.vbox file afterwards.

Regarding the guest control, please try the following command variants (note the space after the last "--"):

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VBoxManage guestcontrol $MY_VM_NAME run --exe "C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\WINWORD.EXE" --arg0 "C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\WINWORD.EXE" --username $MY_USERNAME --password $MY_PASSWORD -- "C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\WINWORD.EXE"
VBoxManage guestcontrol $MY_VM_NAME run --exe "C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\WINWORD.EXE" --username $MY_USERNAME --password $MY_PASSWORD -- "C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\WINWORD.EXE"

[TVG]

If I turn on the second virtual screen from the VM window's menu, then it works, instead of a black screen, I get two virtual screens with the VM. If I turn off the second virtual screen, the VM keeps working in the first virtual screen.

The two command variants you proposed have the same behavior than the one I'm using.

[fth0]

If I turn on the second virtual screen from the VM window's menu, then it works, instead of a black screen, I get two virtual screens with the VM. If I turn off the second virtual screen, the VM keeps working in the first virtual screen.

It probably only fails after you've shut down the VM while only the first virtual screen was turned on. But you don't need to try, because it has been fixed already for the next VirtualBox release update.

The two command variants you proposed have the same behavior than the one I'm using.

Ok, then I'm out of ideas for now.

[TVG]

Ok, then I'm out of ideas for now.

Is there a way to report this problem?

[scottgus1]

A Bugtracker ticket could help, with zipped logs and a link to this topic added.

[TVG]

I've created a ticket: https://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/21822#ticket.

[TVG]

One thought, could the "guestcontrol" process be attempting to redirect the output of the app to the host? I don't remember the guestcontrol switches...

I've create a HelloWorld script that I converted to an executable file. When I do

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toto@toto-pc:~$ VBoxManage guestcontrol $MY_VM_NAME run --exe "C:\\Users\\Toto\\Desktop\\runapp\\runHello.exe" --username $MY_USERNAME --password $MY_PASSWORD
Hello, World!
toto@toto-pc:~$

note that "Hello, World!" shows up in the Terminal of my host instead of the guest.

[TVG]

I downgraded to Virtualbox 6.1.46 and it didn't work either. I'm surprised because it worked on my previous Virtualbox version. At that time, I was on Ubuntu 22.04. Now, I'm on Ubuntu 23.04. Could the problem be due to Ubuntu?

EDIT: I've tried on another PC with Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS and VirtualBox 6.1.38. It works like a charm! Then, I've upgraded VirtualBox to version 7.0.10. It also works like a charm! Then, the problem seems to be linked to the new Ubuntu version.

[TVG]

Some elements can be found here: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1484798 ... untu-23-04

[TVG]

I have upgraded to Ubuntu 23.10. Unfortunately, that did not solved the issue.

[TVG]

Unfortunately, the problem is still going on with VirtualBox v7.0.12.

[TVG]

The problem is due to VirtualBox Guest Additions from version 7. More here: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1484798 ... 3-04-23-10.