Black Screen when trying to go "Seamless'

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Linux hosts.
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cousin-it
Posts: 2
Joined: 12. May 2008, 21:05

Black Screen when trying to go "Seamless'

Post by cousin-it »

I just upgraded to Ubuntu 8.04 and Virtual Box 1.6. I am running Windows XP on the VB. When I try to go to "Seamless" mode I get a black screen with the Windows toolbar on the bottom. What would cause this? I really need to get this fixed. I love Ubutnu, but there are still some apps that I have to use Windows to run. I was running Ubuntu 7.10 and VB 1.5.6 and everything ran perfect ('seamless'). Can't figure out what the difference is. Can someone help me out with this?

D
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Post by Sasquatch »

Open a program window and see if it changes anything if you switch to seamless. Also, can't the program run using Wine? See www.winehq.org for more information. Check http://appdb.winehq.org to see if your program is listed there and if it works or not.
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johnthebillionaire
Posts: 1
Joined: 13. May 2008, 15:05

Post by johnthebillionaire »

hey friend,

I have the almost the same problem. after upgrading to 1.6 from 1.5.6. when I resize my guest XP screen to 1024 X 768 from 1280 X 800. Virtualbox goes to 800 x 600 instead.

Sometimes x.org hangs.

I'm using ubuntu hardy
cousin-it
Posts: 2
Joined: 12. May 2008, 21:05

Post by cousin-it »

No, the programs that I need to run will not run in Wine. They are very specialized. They will only run in Windows. I have already tried Wine. I just can't figure out why the new versions mess everything up. I thought they were supposed to get "better". Almost makes me want to downgrade back to Ubuntu 7.10 and VB 1.5.6. If I didn't like Ubuntu 8.10 so good for everything else, I probably would. I guess you have to pick your battles. But, it would be nice if things worked like were supposed to.
Corvidae
Posts: 1
Joined: 3. Jun 2008, 21:33

A possible workaround

Post by Corvidae »

I had the same sort of problem as you, cousin-it. The issue only appears when no windows are open (as soon as you launch a program, the masking should work properly).

What I ended up doing was writing a really quick and dirty C# program that creates a 1x1 form in the upper-lefthand corner of the screen. After putting it in the Startup folder, I get a seamless window immediately after I log on.

Granted, you have to keep the guest in a regular window until you log in, but it works great after that. If anyone wants the program (or the source, or both), send me a PM.
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