HiDPI Issues (Linux host, WinXP guest)

[travsformer]

Hi,

This is my first question on these forums, so please be gentle

I've been using Vbox regularly, on a daily basis, for about a year now, on a Kubuntu 14.04 64-bit to run translation software on a Windows XP guest and not have to reboot into Windows every time I need to work. No problem setting things up, all has been swell.

Until I bought a Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro with a 3200x1800 display. Before anyone says anything about that, I'll say that I'd done my reading and expected my fair share of glitches along the road with that ridiculous resolution, so I can't say the following results have come as much of a surprise:

Windows XP desktop:


SDL Trados (Bonus for anyone who can make out the words)


So...you can see my problem. Windows XP (guest) automatically sets resolution to the host's native 3100x1800. Changing the resolution within the Windows guest only makes the Window smaller, and if maximized or switched to full screen, leaves a large grey area around the desktop and a tiny Window in the middle (auto resize guest display is active).

If I set it in scaled mode, and change the host resolution to a more workable figure, the host becomes somewhat fuzzy and windows and other items don't scale well (apps only use half of the screen when maximized, or only half of each Window is displayed; very buggy).

I've also tried changing the host's resolution to 1920x1080, but that didn't work out all that great either. Text is still too small in host, and it makes switching between host and guest apps a no-go (I have my fonts and icons scaled according to the HiDPI in Kubuntu, specifically for a 3200x1800 display, so when downgrading display resolution, icons and text become too large...and I can't see myself going into setting and changing Font DPI and the various icon sizes - menu, main menu, pop-up, desktop, etc. - every time I need to use Vbox).

I installled Guest Addition (in safe mode) and extension pack to see if it made a difference (just poking around in the dark, really), but no. Does anyone have similar issues (MacBook retina, for instance) or know of any workarounds? Virtualbox was my passport to avoid a dual boot. It would be BREATLY appreciated if anyone could shed any light on.

Cheers and thanks in advance!

[travsformer]

Any ideas?

I've read that for OSX there are apps out there allowing you to choose resolution on an app-basis, perhaps there is something similar for Linux? Has anyone else encountered this kind of problem?

Thanks!

[mpack]

Windows XP (guest) automatically sets resolution to the host's native 3100x1800.

Uh... there's nothing automatic about it. I believe the default resolution in XP is 800x600, you could only get the resolution you mention by going to fullscreen mode... which obviously uses the full host resolution.

You shouldn't manually change the guest display size in fullscreen mode, it could get quite confusing. IMHO you should return to a windowed mode, then you can fiddle with different display sizes and scale mode.

[loukingjr]

Any ideas?

I've read that for OSX there are apps out there allowing you to choose resolution on an app-basis, perhaps there is something similar for Linux? Has anyone else encountered this kind of problem?

Thanks!

If you haven't seen this page it may have some info you would find useful. http://www.hanselman.com/blog/LivingAHi ... inful.aspx

[travsformer]

It's been a while since this post, wondered if perhaps any new alternatives have come up. I've been changing the host's resolution every time I want to run Vbox for 6 months now, it would be great if there were another way around that. Does anyone know if there's a better way around this?

Thanks!

[loukingjr]

Wait for the upcoming VB 5.0 or install the release candidate if you feel daring.

[dsjstc]

It's been a while since this post, wondered if perhaps any new alternatives have come up. I've been changing the host's resolution every time I want to run Vbox for 6 months now, it would be great if there were another way around that. Does anyone know if there's a better way around this?

Thanks!

Sorry to resurrect, but I just decided to try this. It works quite nicely if you set the guest resolution to 1/2 of the host, and then change to scale display mode with <host>-C. Here's how you'd set half resolution on your Y2P:

Code: Select all

VBoxManage controlvm "Name of VM" setvideomodehint 1600 900 32