Resizing problem with linux guests -> missing xrandr tool on guest

[deisler]

Hello.

I have on host OS Windows 10 64 bit Virtualbox 5.1.6 r110634 build. Guest's OS is Debian 8.5 minimal install with lightdm and openbox. Resize resolution isn't work.

I have installed and enabled VBoxGuestAdditions-5.1.6 in guest also.

[Michael Thayer]

A couple of things to check.

Is VBoxClient --display running in the guest? Normally this is started by your desktop environment, but I am not sure if this will happen with a minimal set-up unless you set it up yourself.

Is automatic resizing disabled in the machine window on the host? Sounds silly, but it does happen.

[deisler]

Replying to michael:

A couple of things to check.

Is VBoxClient --display running in the guest? Normally this is started by your desktop environment, but I am not sure if this will happen with a minimal set-up unless you set it up yourself.

This command has exit code is 0 in desktop enviroment.

Is automatic resizing disabled in the machine window on the host? Sounds silly, but it does happen.

Automatic resizing is enabled.

I does 2 tests: In minumal install debian resize isn't work. In default install debian resize is work.

It may be lacking a library?

[deisler]

For work resize resolution should been command xrand.

She is include in package x11-xserver-utils.

Thanks!

[Michael Thayer]

Sounds like that should be made more obvious then.

[Michael Thayer]

Actually we use notify-send to send an error message. But on a minimal desktop you will not have that either. I will add code to print the message using xmessage in that case, and to print it to the console if that fails too. This will not go to the 5.1 series though, as you are the first person to have this problem.

Thanks for the effective debugging!

[deisler]

May be good wiil log in syslog or Xorg.log or VBoxGuestAdditions.log?

[Michael Thayer]

I hope that my change should work for your minimal desktop case too. Please give development snapshot Additions build (just the Additions) revision 111149 or later a try from the test builds page<1>. The Additions do not contain that many changes compared to the 5.1 releases. That does not apply to the other development snapshot builds though.

<1> https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Testbuilds

[deisler]

I tested it and got warning 2 messages about xrdb and xrandr utility, it is cool! =)

Merge to upstream, please.

Thanks!

[deisler]

Without installed VBoxAdditions I got message "xrdb command not found". This behavior is required when additional is not installed?

[Michael Thayer]

Now you have got me confused. Do you get the message about xrdb in a pop-up window? I was expecting a message about xrandr. And how does that happen without installing the Additions?

[deisler]

After tests I uninstalled Additions over /opt/Add.../uninstall.sh script. I am checked that additional was deleted. After system reboot and log in to enviroment I got popup message "...xrdb command not found...". I am checked that additional was deleted again successfully. And then I did not receive messages anymore.

I don't understand why i got this message after successfully uninstall Additional and reboot system.