virtualbox.org

I've upgraded to VirtualBox 2.2.2 r46594 on Slackware 12.2 and done a "clean" install of Ubuntu 8.10. I keep getting messages about the display running in 16-bit and it should be running in 32-bit and, you know, check the settings in your "display" section (ain't winders, ain't no display section). I did install the additions. This same release was installed in the previous version of VirtualBox and worked just fine (it was completely removed before the upgrade to 2.2.2); now I cannot increase the size of the guest display or force the display to operate full-screen. I'm pretty sure I missed something somewhere but can't figure out what -- any hints would be most welcome.

When you installed the guest additions, did you get any errors?
You can look at the /var/log/VBoxAdd-install.log and see if there are any errors.
Also look at /var/log/xorg.0.log for errors.

Now this is awfully strange -- I ran the VBoxAdditions after the initial installation (and that worked yesterday). Starting VBox and Ubuntu today did not work (as described). I checked the logs, couldn't see anything obvious and, just for the heck of it, ran VBoxAdditions again; blasted thing works like it should now. Huh. Yesterday, the additions compiled with no errors (as did the entire installation process except for that 16-bit error business). Works once, doesn't work again? Wow, zowie. So, it looks like I need to reinstall the additions every day...

Maybe but I much prefer to think that some error was produced yesterday and you did not see it. I know it has happened to me. I get used to installing the GA and just expect it to work then when it does not I run it again and either see the error or it just works. Anyway you look at it if it works it works. Situation solved. At least for now.