tnglwood
asked on
VirtualBox - Ubuntu 32 bit display
I'm using VirtualBox: host OS Win7, guest OS Ubuntu 9.10.
When I start the VM, there is a warning "This virtual machine windown is optimized to work in 32 bit color mode, but the color quality of the virtual display is currently set to 16 bit."
Trawling through forums, I've found recommendations to add a line to the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file, namely the line "Driver "vboxvideo"" which seems to solve the problem. However, this is for older versions of Ubuntu. The poster states "However, later versions of Ubuntu, like 8.10 and the new 9.04, no longer use that file for initial settings. You can still use it to change a few settings, but most is done by HAL"
So the question is, in Ubuntu 9.10 what is the equivalent?
When I start the VM, there is a warning "This virtual machine windown is optimized to work in 32 bit color mode, but the color quality of the virtual display is currently set to 16 bit."
Trawling through forums, I've found recommendations to add a line to the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file, namely the line "Driver "vboxvideo"" which seems to solve the problem. However, this is for older versions of Ubuntu. The poster states "However, later versions of Ubuntu, like 8.10 and the new 9.04, no longer use that file for initial settings. You can still use it to change a few settings, but most is done by HAL"
So the question is, in Ubuntu 9.10 what is the equivalent?
ASKER
I don't think that will do it. I'm using Ubuntu 9.10, Karmic Koala, and that doesn't use an xorg.conf file. The post you mention also states that the info there won't work in any Ubuntu version after Gutsy Gibbon, as it's all geared to manipulating that xorg.conf file. Later Ubuntu versions rely more on autodetection...so I think it's something to do with the autodetection.
From another user using Ubuntu from 2009 (not sure which version of Ubuntu he used though):
"Make sure you install the 'Guest Additions' from the Sun console. Once this is done you should see a cd image on the desktop, open it and double click the autorun. Mine popped up a terminal and installed. I also added the 'vboxdriver' in the xorg.conf according to this thread.
REBOOT and I was gtg."
"Make sure you install the 'Guest Additions' from the Sun console. Once this is done you should see a cd image on the desktop, open it and double click the autorun. Mine popped up a terminal and installed. I also added the 'vboxdriver' in the xorg.conf according to this thread.
REBOOT and I was gtg."
ASKER
Yes, I saw that thread too. I had indeed successfully installed Guest Additions. I should mention that the VM comes up just fine if I ignore the warning, so everything is working okay but using 16 bit rather than 32 bit colors.
He must be using an older version of Ubuntu as well, since he mentions the xorg.conf file which is no longer used in the Karmic release.
So I'm afraid I've still got the warning about 32 bit colors...
He must be using an older version of Ubuntu as well, since he mentions the xorg.conf file which is no longer used in the Karmic release.
So I'm afraid I've still got the warning about 32 bit colors...
I think the xorg.conf could be used even in Karmic, according to those guys:
fmarzocca wrote:
@pointerstop: I agree that the problem is not related to xorg.conf, but it's wrong to say that xorg.conf is obsolete. I can't run gnome on my 3 PCs (nvidia, ati) without the correct xorg.conf, even in Karmic.
pointerstop wrote:
Well, actually, you can. There is nothing you can do in xorg.conf that you can't put in an .fdi file, under /etc/hal/fdi/policy. That's the correct place to make overrides if you _must_. It's simpler to do it in xorg.conf, but it isn't a good idea.
fmarzocca wrote:
@pointerstop: I agree that the problem is not related to xorg.conf, but it's wrong to say that xorg.conf is obsolete. I can't run gnome on my 3 PCs (nvidia, ati) without the correct xorg.conf, even in Karmic.
pointerstop wrote:
Well, actually, you can. There is nothing you can do in xorg.conf that you can't put in an .fdi file, under /etc/hal/fdi/policy. That's the correct place to make overrides if you _must_. It's simpler to do it in xorg.conf, but it isn't a good idea.
ASKER
So even if it is possible to create an xorg.conf file with a single entry in it, the post seems to suggest that it's not a good idea to put it there but instead to put it in an fdi file. Anyone have any idea how to insert into such a file the equivalent to the suggested 'Driver "vboxvideo"' line in the xorg.conf file?
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ASKER
Thanks gheist, that's a very useful comment!
So there's nothing to worry about and nothing I need to do, is that right?
So there's nothing to worry about and nothing I need to do, is that right?
Exactly.
You can try text console to avoid warning.
You can try text console to avoid warning.
ASKER
Okay, many thanks for your help...
Here is how to reconfigure xserver
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=690760