NerdGrind - How-to Computer Help - Tutorials - Tech and Gadget News » Linux

How to Increase Screen Size or Resolution in Virtualbox for Ubuntu or Linux

Nerd Grind — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:56:54 +0000

When a new Virtual Machine, or Virtual PC, is setup in Virtualbox for Ubuntu, or another Linux flavor, the screen size and screen resolution may be fixed smaller than your maximum resolution setting. This problem can be fixed by installing Guest Additions.

Guest Additions comes with Virtualbox, but is installed after you setup your Virtual Machine, or Guest OS, to add features such as increased screen size or screen resolution. On the test PC for this example the maximum resolution is 1280 x 1024. After loading Ubuntu under Virtualbox bring up the Display Preference by going into System -> Preferences -> Display. The maximum resolution option listed is 800 x 600.

Installing Guest Additions from Gnome Desktop

To get a bigger screen resolution we will need to install Guest Additions. On the Virtualbox File Menu click on Devices -> Install Guest Additions.

You should now see a vboxadditions_x file now located on your Ubuntu desktop.

To open the vboxadditions file either double click on the file, or right-click and then click Open.

Now double click the autorun.sh file. The vboxadditions file contains installation choices for a few different Linux versions including both 32 bit and 64 bit versions. By using the autorun.sh file you allow the script to automatically detect, and install the right software for your OS.

Now click Run.

The autorun.sh will open a Shell window and begin installing the files.

Once the autorun.sh file has completed installing the Guest Additions software all you have to do is hit Enter to close the Window.

Now reboot Ubuntu for the new files to load properly.

After you return to the Ubuntu desktop click System -> Preferences -> Display.

Under Display Preferences you will see the resolution is at 1152 x 864, which is still not the maximum resolution.

On the Virtualbox File Menu click on Machine -> Fullscreen Mode.

Once in Fullscreen Mode go to System -> Preferences -> Display again, and you will now see the maximum screen resolution is 1280 x 1024.

Installing Guest Additions from the Command Line Terminal Window

To install Guest Addtions from the Terminal window Command Line in Ubuntu click Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal.

At the Bash prompt ($) type:

cd /media/cdrom0

Hit Enter.

Now type:

dir

Hit Enter. This will give you a listing of all the files in the vboxadditions file directory. We want to run the autorun.sh so that script can install the right files for us.

Type:

sudo sh autorun.sh

Hit Enter.

The autorun.sh file should automatically change the proper permissions to run and install the vboxadditions file that will work on your OS.

The autorun.sh will open a Shell window and begin installing the files. Once the autorun.sh file has completed installing the Guest Additions software all you have to do is hit Enter to close the Window.

Linux Finally Ported to Apple iPhone and iPod Touch – Video

Nerd Grind — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 10:29:38 +0000

Linux has finally been ported to the iPhone and iPod touch. Several independent developers have masterminded the project, bringing everyone’s favorite open-source OS to Apple’s handhelds. It may not offer any touchscreen drivers, sound or WiFi support, its still the first step to hack heaven.

The team also has dropped hints that they may be thinking about porting Android in the near future. Below is a video of how to get the OS going on your iPhone and yeah, thank us later. Happy holidays.

Dospara Releases Atom-Powered Prima Note Cartina UM Netbook in Japan

Nerd Grind — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:03:38 +0000

Dospara has released their Prime Note Cartina UM 8.9-inch netbook in Japan this week. The thing is powered by a 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU and possesses 1GB of DDR2 RAM. The Prima Note Cartina has a 120GB hard drive, a 1,024 x 600 panel, 802.11b/g WiFi anda battery designed to last two hours. The netbook comes with a variant of Linux pre-installed. For you folks visiting Japan in the near future, you can grab one for ¥39,980 or $413 American Dollars.

Legacy Entertainment Releases USB-enabled Joystick that Looks like Atari Controller

Nerd Grind — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:12:33 +0000

Legacy Entertainment has released a joystick that doubles as an homage to the legendary Atari 2600 controller. The joystick just looks like an Atari controller, however. It’s fully Windows, OS X and Linux compatible and connects via USB. The company claims it will work flawlessly with "nearly any emulator" so you can seek out the original games that the joystick helped make so much fun. It costs just $14.99 and it’s currently available.

ASUS CEO Says $200 Eee PC in 2009

Nerd Grind — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:45:02 +0000

Jerry Shen, CEO of ASUS, noted recently that his company would release an Eee PC priced at US$200 in 2009. He also noted to a group of analysts that the 7- and 8.9 inch Eee PCs would be discontinued to make room for the 10-inch model. Shen did not clarify as to whether or not that meant the 10-inch Eee PC would be $200. He also gave the group some figures, noting that 70% of all Eee PCs now come loaded with Windows XP and hard disk drives compared to 30% that come loaded with Linux and SSDs.

HP Releases Mini 1000 Netbook – To Offer Linux Option

Nerd Grind — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:25:28 +0000

HP is attempting to revive the sluggish netbook market with it’s Mini 1000 netbook. The Mini 1000 will offer an aggressive price point, a polished Linux OS and a skinny aesthetic. As rumored, the Mini 1000 will be ditching VIA an sticking with an Atom 1.6GHz N270 processor. The system will also offer a 10.2-inch display at 1024 x 600 resolution. HP is offering 512MB, 1GB and 2GB RAM configurations, but those with Windows XP will be limited to just 1GB. On the storage front, the company offers the choice of a 60GB 4200 rpm HDD or a 8GB or 16GB SSD. The Mini 1000 also has an SD slot, VGA webcam, 802.11b/g, optional Bluetooth, Ethernet and dual USB plugs.

The netbook also offers a competitive choice between Oses. You can stick with your standard XP, but for $20 dollars less you will be suited with a specialized version of the Ubuntu-based Linux OS, codenamed "MIE."

The XP version is available today for $399, and the Linux MIE version will drop in January for $379.

Kids really like sugar – really dislike Windows XP

Nerd Grind — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:49:30 +0000

This would be filed squarely in the "duh" department if we were talking about sugar, the stuff that makes candy taste so good. However, we are talking about the Linux-based Sugar UI. That probably wouldn’t make candy taste so good. We could try though.

An editor at Cnet gave his 8 year old daughter the choice between an OLPC XO laptop running Windows XP and one running the Sugar UI. She chose Sugar. Ok, this isn’t exactly the scientific method but the Sugar interface certainly makes more sense than that dreary ’ole XP interface.

Speaking of, Amazon’s "Give One, Get One" program will be limited to the Linux UI. So that works out, considering the kiddies like it so much.

In other news, kids prefer cute puppies to poisonous spiders.

Evo “Smart Console” Hopes to be the “System of Tomorrow”

Nerd Grind — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:52:32 +0000

Envizions Computer Entertainment intends enter the "console war" with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo with the announcement of a linux-based console name the Evo "Smart Console."The company hopes to create a linux gaming development platform for the device. Tagged as the "System of Tomorrow," the EVO Smart Console is available for pre-order now but will retail for $250 with rebates. The console will offer "cloud" based computing applications, video on demand, Amiga-based games and all the other capabilities that a normal PC would have.

A Few Tidbits Leak Out on the Palm Foleo

Nerd Grind — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:04:40 +0000

There are those, myself included, who wonder at the value of the Palm Foleo, but who are we to judge? The specifications are starting to trickle out, and so perhaps there’s something in there to get excited about:

416MHz Intel-Marvel PXA27x processor
Marathon 2700G graphics with video out
128MB of RAM for running applications
256MB of non-volatile RAM for storage
CompactFlash and SD slots
Wi-Fi
Wind River Systems Linux

Well, okay, nothing too exciting there, although some of the parts are a bit non-standard. I still think the Foleo’s going to have a tough time getting going in the market, but time will tell. As it appears, that time will come fairly soon.

Hold Your Horses – Lenovo Will Deliver Linux Someday!

Nerd Grind — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:19:41 +0000

Yes, after making hay about their plan to install SUSE Linux on some laptops, it looks like it’s actually going to happen. You’ll have to wait until the fourth quarter, but hey, you’re a patient sort, aren’t you?

NerdGrind - How-to Computer Help - Tutorials - Tech and Gadget News » Linux

How to Increase Screen Size or Resolution in Virtualbox for Ubuntu or Linux

Related posts:

Linux Finally Ported to Apple iPhone and iPod Touch – Video

Related posts:

Dospara Releases Atom-Powered Prima Note Cartina UM Netbook in Japan

Related posts:

Legacy Entertainment Releases USB-enabled Joystick that Looks like Atari Controller

Related posts:

ASUS CEO Says $200 Eee PC in 2009

Related posts:

HP Releases Mini 1000 Netbook – To Offer Linux Option

Related posts:

Kids really like sugar – really dislike Windows XP

Related posts:

Evo “Smart Console” Hopes to be the “System of Tomorrow”

Related posts:

A Few Tidbits Leak Out on the Palm Foleo

Related posts:

Hold Your Horses – Lenovo Will Deliver Linux Someday!

Related posts: