Cannot resize screen for Ubuntu VM in VirtualBox

I installed Ubuntu 14.04 LTS amd64 desktop on VirtualBox 4.3.26 which is running on OSX10.10 (amd64) and the only option for screen resolution is 640x480. This resolution is found under the System Settings -> Displays -> Resolution drop down menu.

I've tried installing the dkms package and virtualbox-guest-additions (which wasn't able to be found, maybe my sources.list file is bad?) as suggested in other forums, but it didn't help.

This is all freshly installed, I haven't tampered with the machine or settings at all.

What is going on here?

s g

Posted 2015-04-06T18:07:10.843

Reputation: 552

How about this: http://superuser.com/a/782046/172416

– Devid – 2015-04-06T18:30:32.620

Had a similar issue, answer provided by https://superuser.com/a/1506969/1137514

– P.Katolik – 2020-02-06T22:46:55.960

Answers

There were two things that were needed: (1) Virtualbox Preferences and (2) Guest Additions for the specific VM.

1) In the top toolbar in OSX, go to VirtualBox -> Preferences -> Display and change your max resolution size. My resolution was set to Automatic and the settings were too low. I changed this to Hint and it allowed me to specify my own Height and Width

2) Start up the VM and log in if necessary. While it's running, click Devices -> Insert Guest Additions CD Image... from the Mac toolbar. There should be some prompts on the VM's terminal then restart the VM when it's completed.

s g

Posted 2015-04-06T18:07:10.843

Reputation: 552

Does the Guest Additions CD image always need to be attached to the VM or is it a one time install? – webworm – 2017-03-06T18:13:55.360

Idk why this does nothing for me. Guest Additions is mounted and everything. – unami – 2019-10-15T17:32:09.060

@unami Maybe it didn't install properly. You have to read the output of the Guest Additions install. For instance it might say something to the effect that kernel modules were not installed because the system doesn't have build tools (gcc, make, ...). – Kaz – 2020-01-22T22:21:14.033

I had similar issue with Ubuntu 18.04. Host was Mac OS Catalina and all virtual box's extensions were installed but to solve the issue I've just selected other graphics controller. To do this open settings -> display and try swith to another graphics controller.

Rammgarot

Posted 2015-04-06T18:07:10.843

Reputation: 139

1Could you expand on this a little? Your answer is attracting negative attention. Please see [answer] and take our [tour] to improve your question. – Burgi – 2019-12-03T09:13:53.010

This solution worked for me. I am using Mac OS Mojave and running a VM of Ubuntu 16.04 – Ikechukwu Kalu – 2020-01-27T05:58:38.333

Have you tried installing guest additions from the menu in VirtualBox? That will mount a CD image and run it's installer

Kevin

Posted 2015-04-06T18:07:10.843

Reputation: 1 873

Going into fullscreen mode and then exiting fullscreen mode worked for me. This should make your VM content go as wide as your computer screen whilst still remaining in windowed mode.

Driond

Posted 2015-04-06T18:07:10.843

Reputation: 1

If you still experience problems with setting resolution after setting resolution resizing to 'None' or 'Automatic' in VirtualBox -> Preferences -> Display and mounting GuestAdditions execute following command in guest's terminal:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall linux-image-$(uname -r)

Then perform a reboot

It worked for me - guest was Ubuntu 18.04

Hugh Mongous

Posted 2015-04-06T18:07:10.843

Reputation: 1