Win98SE mouse limitation

[Davin]

VB: 5.0.12
Host: Windows 8.1 Pro
Guest: Windows 98 SE

I've managed to make it just through the Win98 install process, but I'm having the (apparently classic) problem of the mouse only being able to reach the upper-left quarter of the guest screen. I've tried setting the usual "CoordShift" extradata to 0, 1, and {none}, and it doesn't seem to help or make any difference at all (with any of those settings). I have not updated any video drivers (yet). I've attached a log of a recent boot-up test run. I can't seem to find any further help in any existing threads on the forum.

Has anyone got any ideas for me to try?

[dlharper]

I have found that the mouse works as it should provided:

1. You have a decent video driver installed. I always use the "BearWindows" one, and have never had any problems with it.

2. You set the pointing device to "USB Tablet".

3. You set CoordShift to 0. You have to be careful with this setting. The correct command is:

VBoxManage setextradata "<VM name>" "VBoxInternal/USB/HidMouse/0/Config/CoordShift" 0

where <VM Name> is obviously the name of the VM (!). The command is case-sensitive, and it is easy to mess up when you are typing it in.

[Davin]

Whoa! I'm seeing something really unexpected.

I did get the BearWindows driver installed and I've reset my colors and resolution to higher values, so I know that's working.

However, I've found a behavorial strangeness that I think shouldn't be happening. I can set CoordShift to 0 and verify that it's there with getextradata. However, as soon as I start my VM using the GUI Manager (immediately, with no intervening steps) and check it again, getextradata says "No value set!" and the value does not return upon shutting down the VM. However, if I avoid the GUI Manager and use VBoxManage startvm, it works! The mouse no longer has the screen area limitation and getextradata still says that I have CoordShift set.

I'm mystified! Why should starting the VM with the command line work and starting the same VM in the same way using the GUI Manager screen cause my extradata to be erased? Am I missing something important here?

[Martin]

Please try to update to a current version of Vbox (5.0.26 or 5.1.4).
I'm not sure if it was in 5.0.12, but one of the earlier version had a bug which lost extradata settings like you are describing.

[Davin]

Please try to update to a current version of Vbox (5.0.26 or 5.1.4).

Woohoo! That worked like a champ! Thanks!