Screen size for Debian Server [No X11 - No GUI - No Gnome]

[evil_stefano]

Hi all,

I've a vm with debian 6.0 server, i've installed only PHP-APACHE-POSTGRESQL with the debian minimal cd; so without X11, gnome or kde, ONLY console.
(the host is Windows XP Pro).

The issue is that the screen size for the vm is ridiculously small, the host resolution is 1280x800, but the debian vm has a 640x480 resolution; and there is no copy-paste function between host and guest machine.

Can i install the guest addiction without install the window terminal like gnome or kde ?

Thx.

[Perryg]

Yes as long as the dependencies are installed and you use --nox11 tag at the end of the run.

Still the screen size is dependent of framebuffers and you would need to manually fix that in the guest.
Here is one way: http://geekomatic.ch/2011/03/01/1298966700000.html

[evil_stefano]

Thanks you.

I've set the GRUB_GFXMODE to 800x600 and all the other stuff, and now it's much bettern.


Work fine so far but still no copy-paste between host and guest machine. I've installed the build-essential and kernel-headers package, and finally the guest-addiction with --nox11 param.

So still no copy-paste.

[Leak]

Work fine so far but still no copy-paste between host and guest machine. I've installed the build-essential and kernel-headers package, and finally the guest-addiction with --nox11 param.

So still no copy-paste.

Is there any reason you're not installing openssh-server inside the VM, start it headless then use PuTTY or some other SSH client to connect to it over the network (bridge, host-only or just port-forwarding with NAT)?

That gets you any window-size and font you like, instant copy & paste and multiple sessions in multiple windows at once without having to switch from console to console using the function keys.

[Perryg]

By default this might be disabled depending on the version of VirtualBox you are using and you need to turn it on using VBoxManage. See the syntax below.

Code: Select all

VBoxManage controlvm <uuid>|<name> clipboard disabled|hosttoguest|guesttohost|bidirectional

Remember this is for text only, not files. If it is enabled and still does not work then the guest additions must not be properly installed.

[Leak]

If it is enabled and still does not work then the guest additions must not be properly installed.

I'm pretty sure clipboard sharing in Linux only works in X11 since the console doesn't even have the concept of a clipboard, and I pretty much doubt there's a way to support GPM's console copy and paste functionality...

[Perryg]

Yes you are right. I didn't wake up on the right side of the bed today.
I saw clipboard and thought shared folders. Sorry

[evil_stefano]

Thanks guys for the tips !

indeed I don't know why I'm not using putty or mRemote..
Perhaps because i wasn't thinking of this..



Thanks !

[MtWoRw]

If I have the same problem regarding resizing the screen in a Debian server (also no X11, GUI, etc.) but the link about changing framebuffers no longer works, should I post a reply here (as such) or should I start a new thread? Thank you!

[Perryg]

Just google for changing framebuffers in Debian server. This should produce what you need to do.
Of course if you have a different link you want to post please do so.

[MtWoRw]

I was able to follow along with a link I found, but I guess I don't have enough posts or time with this site to share links. I found it at linuxexpresso on wordpress and search for "Change Framebuffer in Grub"

Once I knew how to change the framebuffer, everything worked perfectly! I had been searching for a way to fix this for days and just before I was about to start my own thread, I ran into this one. Would you be willing to tell me what documentation you found the --nox11 parameter in? Thank you, Perryg and everyone else!

[Perryg]

Would you be willing to tell me what documentation you found the --nox11 parameter in?

Sure, it's in the code. You should be able to also run the installer with --help to see the command line switches