virtualbox.org

In ubuntu 12.04 guest within Mac VB 4.1.14 and now 4.1.16 on an up to date MBA running OS X 10.7.4 I am seeing the background image show a jagged corruption when in the guest gnome-shell activities overview. It is ok in the normal desktop. If I reload the shell (via alt+<f2>) or switch away from full screen view, then it is ok from then on until the guest is restarted. Since 4.1.16 the behaviour is slightly different, the background is transparent so I see my host Mac desktop background in the guest activities overview rather than the jagged gnome-shell desktop. Anybody else using gnome-shell on ubuntu 12.04 guest on Mac host seeing this? Can't work out a way to capture a screenshot sorry.

Yes. It happens to me using Ubuntu 12.04 /Linux Mint (running 13, Cinnamon DE, based on gnome-shell) and Arch Linux.

It happens at every reboot and your methods/workarounds are the same that I use.
Actually, since I have a dual monitor setup, I don't use the CTRL+F x2 option anymore as the VM will often 'jump' from my main screen to a second screen that I keep OFF for the most part (equally annoying, but avoidable).

I basically just ALT+F2, r, enter, as soon as I see my desktop icons (provided by gnome-tweak-tool) after every boot/log-in and accept it as a foible of the DE.

You might have also noted that with gnome-shell the mini-toolbar is suppressed when FULL SCREEN. That bug is here: www(dot)virtualbox(dot)org/ticket/9775

I just accidently discovered how to "fix" this. Turn off "have file manager handle the desktop" in gnome-tweak tool settings and the corruption stops. As it happens, I am starting more and more to appreciate the gnome-shell design and now realise that the default "off" setting for this is the most sensible option anyhow.