1 First steps Also, on Linux and Solaris hosts, which use the X Window System, the key combination Ctrl+Alt+Backspace normally resets the X server (to restart the entire graphical user interface in case it got stuck). As the X server intercepts this combination, pressing it will usually restart your host graphical user interface (and kill all running programs, including VirtualBox, in the process). Third, on Linux hosts supporting virtual terminals, the key combination Ctrl+Alt+Fx (where Fx is one of the function keys from F1 to F12) normally allows to switch between virtual terminals. As with Ctrl+Alt+Delete, these combinations are intercepted by the host operating system and therefore always switch terminals on the host. If, instead, you want to send these key combinations to the guest operating system in the virtual machine, you will need to use one of the following methods: – Use the items in the “Machine” menu of the virtual machine window. There you will find “Insert Ctrl+Alt+Delete” and “Ctrl+Alt+Backspace” the latter will only have an effect with Linux or Solaris guests, however. – Press special key combinations with the Host key (normally the right Control key), which VirtualBox will then translate for the virtual machine: * Host key + Del to send Ctrl+Alt+Del (to reboot the guest) * Host key + Backspace to send Ctrl+Alt+Backspace (to restart the graphical user interface of a Linux or Solaris guest) * Host key + F1 (or other function keys) to simulate Ctrl+Alt+F1 (or other func- tion keys, i.e. to switch between virtual terminals in a Linux guest). • For some other keyboard combinations such as Alt-Tab (to switch between open windows), VirtualBox allows you to configure whether these combinations will affect the host or the guest, if a virtual machine currently has the focus. This is a global setting for all virtual machines and can be found under “File” - “Preferences” - “Input” - “Auto-capture keyboard”. 1.8.4 Changing removable media While a virtual machine is running, you can change removable media in the “Devices” menu of the VM’s window. Here you can select in detail what VirtualBox presents to your VM as a CD, DVD, or floppy. The settings are the same as would be available for the VM in the “Settings” dialog of the VirtualBox main window, but since that dialog is disabled while the VM is in the “running” or “saved” state, this extra menu saves you from having to shut down and restart the VM every time you want to change media. Hence, in the “Devices” menu, VirtualBox allows you to attach the host drive to the guest or select a floppy or DVD image using the Disk Image Manager, all as described in chapter 1.10, Virtual machine configuration, page 26. 1.8.5 Resizing the machine’s window You can resize the virtual machine’s window when it is running. In that case, one of three things will happen: 1. If you have “scale mode” enabled, then the virtual machine’s screen will be scaled to the size of the window. This can be useful if you have many machines running and want to have a look at one of them while it is running in the background. Alternatively, it might be useful to enlarge a window if the VM’s output screen is very small, for example because you are running an old operating system in it. To enable scale mode, press the host key + C, or select “Scale mode” from the “Machine” menu in the VM window. To leave scale mode, press the host key + C again. 21