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Games in Windows 98 default to 800x600 resolution.
Posted: 21. Sep 2016, 01:57
by Bm2000
I have a windows 98se guest and enjoy running it. I am currently using the bear windows (I think that's the name) display drivers as I tried the SciTech display doctor but was not found of it and it had the same issue. I keep the resolution of this at 1152x864. I recently tried some games both dos and windows 98 and they run but they shrink the screen back down to 800x600 making it hard to play. I was wondering if there is any way to prevent/fix this. Please do not recommend dosbox or using compatibility mode on another os.
Re: Games in Windows 98 default to 800x600 resolution.
Posted: 21. Sep 2016, 08:37
by socratis
Bm2000 wrote:I was wondering if there is any way to prevent/fix this.
Prevent; no. Fix; potentially yes, sort of.
Here is the longer answer. The game developers changed the screen resolution to whatever their game could support. Sometimes even as low as 640x480. It would be a miracle to find games that run at 1024x768. Nothing you can do about it, unless you talk to the game developers (don't think so). VirtualBox of course obliges and changes the resolution. Problem is that it is too small by today's standards.
What can you do? Change the scaling factor of the VM. You did not mention your host or VirtualBox version
[1], but you can change the "zoom" factor of a VM by either going to the View -> Scale Factor menu, or from the bottom at the status bar by clicking on the Display icon. Pick something that feels comfortable. Remember to either change it back before the game ends and your guest switches its resolution, or change the Windows resolution as well.
[1]: Keep that in mind for future problem reports, here or elsewhere; you need to provide the vital characteristics of the problem.
Re: Games in Windows 98 default to 800x600 resolution.
Posted: 21. Sep 2016, 12:22
by Bm2000
socratis wrote:Bm2000 wrote:I was wondering if there is any way to prevent/fix this.
Prevent; no. Fix; potentially yes, sort of.
Here is the longer answer. The game developers changed the screen resolution to whatever their game could support. Sometimes even as low as 640x480. It would be a miracle to find games that run at 1024x768. Nothing you can do about it, unless you talk to the game developers (don't think so). VirtualBox of course obliges and changes the resolution. Problem is that it is too small by today's standards.
What can you do? Change the scaling factor of the VM. You did not mention your host or VirtualBox version
[1], but you can change the "zoom" factor of a VM by either going to the View -> Scale Factor menu, or from the bottom at the status bar by clicking on the Display icon. Pick something that feels comfortable. Remember to either change it back before the game ends and your guest switches its resolution, or change the Windows resolution as well.
[1]: Keep that in mind for future problem reports, here or elsewhere; you need to provide the vital characteristics of the problem.
Okay, well the host is Windows 8.1 32bit with a patch for using more than the 3.5gb ram limit. I am not sure what version if virtual box I am using but I belive it is 5.1.4(I will check later today). I'm a noob with gaphics and resolutions so I'm assuming old crt monitors were only that resolution than because I remeber it running fullscreen on one. Also tats exactly what iv been doing, it works, but still isn't full screen, but you have to compromise I guess. Thanks for your help.