diff --git a/content/virtualbox-threadripper.md b/content/virtualbox-threadripper.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..cd5879e7c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/virtualbox-threadripper.md @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +--- +title: VirtualBox Black Screen on Threadripper Platforms (Solution) +description: > + How to enable video output in VirtualBox guests on hosts using Threadripper or Threadripper Pro CPUs. +keywords: + - VirtualBox + - Threadripper + - Threadripper Pro + - black screen + - blank screen + - no video + - virtual machine + - settings + +facebookImage: /_social/article +twitterImage: /_social/article + +hidden: false +section: software-troubleshooting +tableOfContents: true +--- + +On some products using AMD Threadripper or Threadripper Pro processors, VirtualBox guests may display a blank screen as seen below: + +![VirtualBox guest showing a blank screen](/images/virtualbox-threadripper/virtual-machine-black-screen.webp) + +On systems affected with this issue, checking `VBox.log` while the virtual machine is running will show the following log line every second: + +``` +ERROR [COM]: aRC=VBOX_E_VM_ERROR (0x80bb0003) aIID={4680b2de-8690-11e9-b83d-5719e53cf1de} aComponent={DisplayWrap} aText={Could not take a screenshot (VERR_NOT_SUPPORTED)}, preserve=false aResultDetail=-37 +``` + +Affected System76 models include: + +- Thelio Major R5 +- Thelio Mega R3 + +## Solution: Disable Nested Paging + +In order to allow VirtualBox guests to properly show their displays, ensure the virtual machine is not running, then open the virtual machine's settings. + +![Virtual machine settings button](/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-settings-button.png) + +Navigate to the `System` page, then to the `Acceleration` tab. + +![Virtual machine System/Acceleration settings section](/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-system-acceleration-settings.png) + +Uncheck the checkbox labeled `Enable Nested Paging`. + +![VirtualBox nested paging setting](/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-disable-nested-paging.png) + +Select `OK` to save the settings, then start the virtual machine again. The display will output successfully. + +![VirtualBox guest showing a working screen](/images/virtualbox-threadripper/virtual-machine-working-screen.webp) diff --git a/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/virtual-machine-black-screen.webp b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/virtual-machine-black-screen.webp new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..2de9e90b4d Binary files /dev/null and b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/virtual-machine-black-screen.webp differ diff --git a/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/virtual-machine-working-screen.webp b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/virtual-machine-working-screen.webp new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..4b20967039 Binary files /dev/null and b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/virtual-machine-working-screen.webp differ diff --git a/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-disable-nested-paging.png b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-disable-nested-paging.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..267f56b32d Binary files /dev/null and b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-disable-nested-paging.png differ diff --git a/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-settings-button.png b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-settings-button.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..b70a7abcd6 Binary files /dev/null and b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-settings-button.png differ diff --git a/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-system-acceleration-settings.png b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-system-acceleration-settings.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..04c5293111 Binary files /dev/null and b/static/images/virtualbox-threadripper/vm-system-acceleration-settings.png differ