true full screen WinXP guest on Host rMBP OSX 10.9.3 ?

[buzzbox]

Hi all..

New post, long time user of Virtual Box..

I've been using Virtual Box with a Win XP guest for a couple of years on OSX now, from 10.6 upwards.
This has been on an iMac and a 15" macbook pro.
Never had a problem, all i needed was 1024x768 screen res to use the windows programs i have..

I've just purchased a new 13" retina macbook pro and didn't realise that i couldn't get full size 1024x768 in a window.. (it cuts off the bottom of the screen and in a full size window sets the display to something like 1024x732 - which is really annoying)

So.. after some playing around i've figured out that if i run the guest in full screen mode i can have 1024x768 and in fact there's more screen available as the guest is surrounded by black..

My question is - how do i make the guest OS (Win XP) use the whole screen whilst running in full screen mode ?
i can't see any choices under display resolution to change it, i get 800x600 and 1024x768 and that's it.
I'd say i'm looking for a 1280x800 resolution which is half the retina res.
I've also installed virtual box guest additions.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Alternatively, is there any benefit in running a Win 7 guest over XP ? (are the screen settings more flexible ? will it make my battery last longer ? be any more efficient ? i only use windows for my works CRM program through a VPN - connected via OSX)

[loukingjr]

As far as I know VirtualBox does not support Retina displays. If you want to spend the money VMWare's Fusion does and I believe Parallels Desktop does. One thing you can try is changing the resolution of your rMBP when you want to run a guest to 1280x800. Then a guest should at least fill the screen.

The obvious reason to use Windows 7 over XP is XP is no longer supported by Microsoft.

[buzzbox]

There must be a way to get virtual box to use a 1280x800 screen resolution somehow.
If the host system can provide it surely there's a way for the guest to use it ?
Is there a display preference or option that can be changed inside windows that will let me select the higher res ?

I've just played around with the Parallels trial and it supports the 1280x800 resolution.
I don't really want to spend $90 just for that feature though.

Not really fussed about no more support for XP. it's a VM, doesn't get used for web browsing, it only has to access the CRM and construction system for work through the VPN. All my other work is performed using OSX apps.

Anyone else have any tips ?

[loukingjr]

There must be a way to get virtual box to use a 1280x800 screen resolution somehow.
If the host system can provide it surely there's a way for the guest to use it ?
Is there a display preference or option that can be changed inside windows that will let me select the higher res ?

I've just played around with the Parallels trial and it supports the 1280x800 resolution.
I don't really want to spend $90 just for that feature though.

Yes there is way for VirtualBox to support a Retina display. Just like Parallels and VMWare, Oracle would have to write the code to do so. Since VirtualBox is free, I don't see them spending much time and effort to do so.

Another reason to run Windows 7 is because you can install it in BootCamp and with the Apple supplied drivers W7 does support the Retina display.

[buzzbox]

Yes i know it's free and that's why i've been using it for years. it's a great product and has served me well.

I've read some posts about file hacks to enable different resolutions when using a retina display, do any of those work for a WinXP Guest ?
If there's not then i will just work with it the way it is.

And Bootcamp defeats the purpose of having access to the Mac apps at the same time.
I use the shared clipboard feature to transfer data between the work i need to do on the Mac side with the CRM and construction system i have to use in Windows.

[loukingjr]

I've read some posts about file hacks to enable different resolutions when using a retina display, do any of those work for a WinXP Guest ?
If there's not then i will just work with it the way it is.

I have no idea if any file hacks work. I've never owned a Mac with a Retina display. One of the reasons I just bought a new MacBook Air instead of a rMBP was because I use VirtualBox quite a bit and knew it didn't support Retina displays. SwitchResX is supposed to work running VMs on a Retina display but I can't say it does personally and it also costs money although I don't believe it's expensive.

[loukingjr]

btw, if you have access to any monitor or TV you can plug your MBP into, external devices do not use the Retina output so they would display normally.

[buzzbox]

I use an external monitor at home for that reason, plus i get to see more when i'm working on both platforms..

It's when i'm on the road or in the office (which is 2hrs from me) that i'd like to have access to the full res.
i just noticed another post where someone was using 1280x800 on windows server on a retina macbook, that's all i need to use..

I'll keep reading away.. maybe i'll find something that will work.

[loukingjr]

I already sent you a link, on your other post, with all sorts of possible fixes which apparently you haven't fully read. It is not cool to double post as I mentioned on your other post and had I noticed I wouldn't have replied to this one.

[buzzbox]

I don't see what the problem is in asking someone who already gets 1280x800 how it shows up ?
If i have a problem why wouldn't i ask someone who may have the solution ?

Anyhow, i saw the link, it talks a lot about retina res, i don't need to change the mac side of things, that all works fine, virtual box works fine as well.
I'm not looking to use any of the higher screen resolutions within retina.

I'd just like to be able to use 1280x800 (which i believe is what virtual box would normally use) with my WinXP guest.
At the moment i can only get 1024x768 in full screen (which has black borders around the edge).

If 1280x800 is the native res of the older 13" system then i would have thought it would be the default full screen res for virtual box.
i will reinstall guest additions and play around a little more to see if i can uncover any other workarounds.

[loukingjr]

I'm sure you're correct. Good Luck.