virtualbox.org

Hi,
after updating virtualbox from version 5.2.22 to any higher version, the display drivers are splitted into vga and xvga.
I use a CAD application in my windows 7 (64 bit) guest.
Now, using the vga display driver, I get Opengl 2.1 but starting the CAD, there appears a black (or scrambled box on the screen and the application hangs.
Switching to the xvga driver, I get OpenGl 1.1 only - but the CAD requires 2.1
Any solution for that?
Thanks,
Woec

Host: Debian Linux stretch (testing) amd64, nvidia GPU

Woec wrote:after updating virtualbox from version 5.22 to any higher version, the display drivers are splitted into vga and xvga.

If you upgraded to the latest in the 5.2.xx series (5.2.26 as I write) then there have been no significant changes to the vGPU. If you have upgraded to a 6.0.x version then there are new vGPU types but the default for pre-existing guests should be the old VBoxVGA. For new Windows guests then it would use the VBoxSVGA vGPU.

Have you upgraded the guest additions after updating VirtualBox? I would also recommend using the Direct3D support for the Windows drivers as they seem to perform better.

If that doesn't work then it will be good see the VBox.log file from the guest in question. Boot the guest, make sure the problem occurs then shut the guest down (by force if necessary). zip the log file and attach it to the thread.

-Andy.

Hi,

thank you for the hints.
To complete my observations:
- The problem described appeared first after upgrading from virtualbox Version 5.2.22 to any higher version. Version 5.2.22 had only VBoxVGA, which worked for me.
- I upgraded guest additions to the actual version of virtualbox everytime I installed a new virtualbox version
- 3D Acceleration was switched on too

I enclose the last log from the guest

Best Regards,
woec

00:00:01.145116 VirtualBox VM 6.0.4_Debian r128164 linux.amd64 (Jan 31 2019 14:42:02) release log

It looks like you're using the Debian fork version of VirtualBox. You can either ask in their forums/channels for help, or completely remove/uninstall/delete/purge their version and install the official version from the Linux Downloads section of VirtualBox.

Some other observations since I've got your attention:

• If you disable 3D acceleration, of course you're going to have warnings about 3D acceleration not being there.
• Don't use all 4 cores of your host with an 80% execution cap. Better use 2 or max 3 CPUs, with a 100% execution cap.

Hi,

ok, I changed the cpu settings accordingly. Disabling the 3D-acceleration was just a test.

Yes, now I am using the virtualbox package(s) supplied by the debian distribution. But before I upgraded to the testing distribution of debian, I used the packages supplied on the virtualbox webpage - and observed the same problem I report in this thread.
So I am quite sure, that the problem does not depend on the distribution source.

One main question is: should the vboxsvga supply Opengl 2.1 as the vboxvga driver does?
If yes, what could be the reason for windows to report only version 1.1 to the applications?
And, on the other side, what could be the reason for the black box showing up when use the vboxvga display driver?

woec

Woec wrote:One main question is: should the vboxsvga supply Opengl 2.1 as the vboxvga driver does?
If yes, what could be the reason for windows to report only version 1.1 to the applications?

What is leading you to believe that it is only reporting OpenGL v1.1? OpenGL Extensions Viewer tells me my Windows 7 guest has OpenGL 2.1.

-Andy.

Hi,

Windows guest OpenGL check by OpenGL Extensions Viewer reports OpenGL 1.1 when use Vboxsvga and my CAD application also tells me that requirement OpenGL Version 2.1 is not fulfilled.
When using the vboxvga driver, it reports OpenGL 2.1, but then I have the black box problem as described.

Woec

It appears that with the VBoxSVGA vGPU if you accept the defaults options when installing the Guest Additions the OpenGL Extensions Viewer reports OpenGL 1.1.

If you select the "Direct3D Support (Experimental)" option and then choose "No" on the dialog about Windows Aero and it being experimental then it reports OpenGL 2.1 once the installation is complete and you have rebooted.

-Andy.

Good call, should have noticed from the logs, there's no "WDDM" reference only an "XPDM" one, just like Andy pointed out:

00:00:10.229142 VMMDev: Guest Log: VBoxMP::DriverEntry: VBox XPDM Driver for Windows version 6.0.4r128413, 64 bit; Built Jan 25 2019 18:38:17

It has been the case for quite a while that the only official way to get accelerated OpenGL in a VirtualBox Windows VM is to install the WDM (aka XPDM) driver in safe mode. See viewtopic.php?t=82614#p398391.

And that was before the new graphics chipsets existed. If I select the VBoxSVGA chipset then accelerated OpenGL is lost completely.

If you select the legacy VBoxVGA chipset (note: not the same as VBoxSVGA), then the old trick still works in VirtualBox 6.0.4 with Win7 guests, i.e. choose the legacy drivers and install in safe mode.

Incidentally, the OpenGL 1.1 support mentioned is the software renderer built into Windows since forever (early NT days). If you see that then you ain't got no hardware accelerated OpenGL.

Hi,

Again, I tried all possibilities for configuration of GA:
- Vboxvga: Experimental driver yields OpenGl 2.1, but CAD Application crashes
- VboxVga: Old driver(install in safe mode) yields also OGl 2.1, but black box when launching CAD and hangs.
- VboxSVGA: Experimental driver reports OpenGL 2.1 MESA (e.g. Software emulation), Windows graphics desktop already distorted (black App-bar, ...), CAD not running
- VboxSVGA: Old driver (safe mode inst.): Windows reports OGL 1.1

Reproducable on all Virtualbox Versions higher than 5.2.22 I tried (5.2.24, 6.0.4)

My Conclusion: OpenGL is broken for Windows7 guests on Versions after 5.2.22

Unfortunately, Version 5.2.22 ist not installable on my debian stretch/testing due to lacking Package dependencies
So my options are: wait until OpenGl ist repaired in future Virtualbox version, or change to other virtualisation solution

woec

Woec wrote: - VboxVga: Old driver(install in safe mode) yields also OGl 2.1, but black box when launching CAD and hangs.

Then you need to look to the CAD software. If you detect OpenGL 2.1 (not MESA), and you gave it plenty of graphics RAM, then the driver install worked. My own 3D model viewer works just fine with that.

Maybe you are right. But the CAD installation has not changed and was working up to Virtualbox 5.2.22.
(also works under native windows7).
Virtualbox has changed (graphics devices changed), so l suspect the cause is there.

Woec wrote: Virtualbox has changed (graphics devices changed)

New options have been added, but as far as I know the legacy option has not changed.

Switched to VMWare an all OpenGL problems are gone ...

woec