VM display won't resize

[Mike Moyle]

Host: Apple iMac - 3.3 GHz
Host OS: OS X 10.9.2
Host RAM: 8GB

VBox version: 4.3.8 r92456 darwin.amd64
Guest OS: Win 7
Guest Memory: 4 GB
Guest Video Memory: 128 MB
VBox Guest Additions: 4.3.8r92456

I can't resize the guest display; window scaling doesn't work, full-size leaves the guest the same size in the middle of a big black screen.

I've RTM, I've got Guest Additions installed; I'm not sure what I'm missing.

[Perryg]

Is auto-resize enabled in the guest?
Look in view tab or try the host+G toggle.

[Mike Moyle]

Yes, auto-resize is checked.

FWIW, the Win7 Display control panel in the VM offers a maximum resolution of 1152 x 864 for the "Generic Non-PnP Monitor on VirtualBox Graphics Adapter."

And, just to clarify: Making the window SMALLER than what I assume is that 1152 x 864 maximum size makes the "live" screen area smaller but doesn't make any other obvious changes (Icons don't scale, for example). It's only when making the window LARGER than the control-panel-set max resolution that the display won't resize.

Is it possible that this maximum resolution is an in-built limitation of the VB "Generic Non-PnP Monitor on VirtualBox Graphics Adapter"?

[Perryg]

From looking at your log and then fact that you say the auto-resize is checked, I would say that you have a failed GA install. Does the Windows guest have any other virtualizer programs additions installed as well?

[Mike Moyle]

If I understand your question, the other features of the additions appear to work normally -- mouse and keyboard move between host and guest without problems, copy and paste work correctly in both directions...

[Perryg]

Your guest is really struggling with the resolution. IIRC there was an issue with 4.3.8 on some systems. I would try updating to 4.3.10 and see if that fixes your issue. Be sure to install the 4.3.10 guest additions as well.

[loukingjr]

Sorry to butt in but someone else had the same problem. he ended up falling back to 4.2.18 but kept the 4.3.10 guest additions.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60638&start=15#p286291

[Mike Moyle]

Ran the uninstall script...
Installed VB 4.3.10 r93012...
Installed guest additions 4.3.10 r93012...
Rebooted the VM and...

Nothing. Nada. No change. Not a sausage.

[loukingjr]

Ran the uninstall script...
Installed VB 4.3.10 r93012...
Installed guest additions 4.3.10 r93012...
Rebooted the VM and...

Nothing. Nada. No change. Not a sausage.

I don't know if it will work but as I mentioned, try installing VirtualBox 4.2.18

[loukingjr]

I may have found the issue. It seems Mike has a 21.5 inch "Educational" iMac which has onboard Intel HD Graphics 4000. There seems to be a common thread with VirtualBox and on chip graphics.

[Mike Moyle]

I don't know where the log got THAT from. I have the 27" with the nvidia graphics -- see the snippet from the system report below.

Now, it *IS* running two monitors, FWIW; the built-in one and an older Samsung SyncMaster. But it IS the nvidia chipset, and not the Intel.
------------------------------

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX:

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 1024 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x11a2
Revision ID: 0x00a2
ROM Revision: 3707
Displays:
iMac:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 2048 x 1152
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Built-In: Yes
SyncMaster:
Resolution: 870 x 1152 @ 75 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Display Serial Number: HCHY600365
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Rotation: 90

[loukingjr]

I got that because your computer is identified as an iMac 13,2 in the VBoxLog but the only 3.3 Ghz (which is what you said in your first post) , I could find is the one I mentioned. perhaps you have as I do the 3.4Ghz? Plus mine works fine with the guest additions.

[loukingjr]

I noticed you are not running your 27" screen at it's native resolution. As a guess perhaps the downsizing of your display is interfering with the guest additions screen sizing

[Mike Moyle]

Ah... so I did...

Should be 3.2 GHz (Intel i5)

BUT...! SUCCESS!!!

Tried the screen resolution thing -- nada.

Tried the 4.2.18 thing -- more nada-ness.

Now, there's the option in the view menu -- "Switch to scale mode," which, presumably, one would want to select if one wanted to scale the window. If I selected THAT, however, then the VM display insisted that it wanted to be in some weird proportion like 3.75:4 and NO amount of corner-dragging -- WITH the shift key held down OR WITHOUT it -- would change the proportions. So, really -- since the whole point of this was because someone INSISTED that a document HAD to be done in MS Publisher (Don't ask...!) and everything on-screen was stretched out vertically -- THAT was no use...

Until I started dragging WITH the shift key held down, then accidentally let my finger slip OFF of it -- at which point the window proportions now became editable! Got out the ruler and got the window proportions to something resembling 3:4 and released the mouse button and the window is now locked in 3:4 format. As long as I don't accidentally touch the shift while I'm resizing the window, I should be good.

Uninstalled 4.2.18 and re-installed 4.3.10 and everything seems to still be working.

I don't know WHY the proportions are locked unless I shift->un-shift when dragging, but now at least I know that that *IS* how it seems to work on my set-up and, as the saying goes, "Knowing is half the battle!"

WOO-HOO!

[loukingjr]

BUT...! SUCCESS!!!
WOO-HOO!

glad you got it working. I noticed your second monitor had some strange resolution but I have never worked with two monitors on hardware nor in the virtual world so I wasn't sure what to think of it. sounds like the ratio you described though.

again, congrats.