Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

ewaller · 2011-07-23 16:13:03

Okay, this one has me scratching my head. Perhaps my Google karma is lacking today.

The system:
Arch Linux (Kernel 2.6.29.3) running Gnome3 in the Gnome Shell
Using VirtualBox 4.1.0 OSE to run a Windows XP Guest.

How does one allow the guest operating system to "see" the "Windows" key so one can launch the file explorer, run box, etc... ?

zyxon · 2011-07-23 18:17:25

try Rctrl + Super. (Right ctrl is supposed to be the host key)

ewaller · 2011-07-23 18:48:58

Good suggestion, but no joy

I had been configured to use the right alt. Alt-Win did not work. I reconfigured the host key as RightCtrl; tried RightCtrl-Win as well.

Procyon · 2011-07-23 19:05:39

You can send scancodes directly like this:
VBoxManage controlvm "Machine" keyboardputscancode e0 5b e0 db

The windows key needs a press (0xe05b) and a release (0xe0db) event. Other keys seem to work fine with just one event.

By the way, xdotool doesn't work with VirtualBox.

Inxsible · 2011-07-23 20:31:34

I use windows 7 home premium in virtualbox, and my win key works just fine without having to do anything special. Didn't think it would be guest OS dependent, but I guess it is.

Procyon · 2011-07-23 20:39:26

@Inxsible:
It works for me on Windows XP.

Gnome or another keybinding application must be intercepting it.

Inxsible · 2011-07-23 20:47:13

Eric, then you should look and see if your keybindings for the win key are in conflict as Procyon suggests.

I use the win key as my mod key for xbindkeys as well, but windows captures the keystrokes correctly when I am focussed on the virtualbox window.

eg. Win + e --> on my other desktops starts EasyTag.
on desktop 5 (which is my dedicated desktop for virtualbox and obviously when windows is running) --> it starts Windows Explorer.

ewaller · 2011-07-23 21:03:34

Yeah, The problem is specifically with Gnome3. With OpenBox, Xfce4, and KDE it works just fine. It is just that Gnome3 seems to have a special affinity to that "Windows" key.
Inxsible, are you using Gnome3 on the host?

When all the flurry of Gnome3 activity here on the forum started to settle down, I finally had some time to actually try it I decided to live with it for a week and see if it appealed to me.
I kinda do like it. There are a few weird little bugs -- such as if I wish to bind Win-T to start a terminal, you must press and release win, then press win-t. I am sure this is somehow related.

Inxsible · 2011-07-23 21:18:20

ewaller wrote:

Inxsible, are you using Gnome3 on the host?

If I ever find you, I'll whack you on your head.
I keep away from all DEs, thank you.

No, I use i3 exclusively.

ewaller · 2011-07-23 21:48:10

Inxsible wrote:

... If I ever find you, I'll whack you on your head.

And if I ever find you, I'll gladly buy the first round of beers

Inxsible · 2011-07-23 21:51:40

ewaller wrote:

Inxsible wrote:
... If I ever find you, I'll whack you on your head.
And if I ever find you, I'll gladly buy the first round of beers

I am going to take you up on that sometime.

cwright84 · 2016-11-16 20:34:59

Hey guys, thought I would post the solution I found to overcome this issue with Gnome 3.

All you have to do is goto system settings -> tweak tool (gnome-tweak-tool) -> select keyboard and mouse menu -> change the following setting:

switch between overview and desktop from Right Ctrl TO anything else your heart desires and windows key issue fixed for virtualbox guest Windows OS.

Hope this helps!

ewaller · 2016-11-16 20:44:02

Thank you for the suggestion, and Welcome to the Arch Linux forums I, however, have long since lost interest in Gnome and spend all of my time in i3wm or Openbox (depending on my mood). And, I only ever fire up that Windows VM once or twice a year when I need to run the scoring system for the local gymnastics meet which uses a Windows only program called ProScore.

I hope your suggestion helps someone. I will, however, use this opportunity to close this historic thread.

Last edited by ewaller (2016-11-16 20:44:40)

Arch Linux

#1 2011-07-23 16:13:03

Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#2 2011-07-23 18:17:25

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#3 2011-07-23 18:48:58

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#4 2011-07-23 19:05:39

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#5 2011-07-23 20:31:34

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#6 2011-07-23 20:39:26

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#7 2011-07-23 20:47:13

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#8 2011-07-23 21:03:34

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#9 2011-07-23 21:18:20

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#10 2011-07-23 21:48:10

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#11 2011-07-23 21:51:40

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#12 2016-11-16 20:34:59

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

#13 2016-11-16 20:44:02

Re: Virtualbox Arch Gnome 3 Host with XP Guest "Windows" key issue

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