Re: VMWare Unity Mode Annoying Gray Desktop Box

Melgaard · ‎05-21-2013

It seems that VMWare Workstation adds a gray box for the desktop of the guest in Unity mode, as shown in the screen shot below.

Is there any way to change, move or remove that box, as it seems to sometimes interfere with some of the other apps hosted in the guest? (Not being placed properly in the background, so it overlaps the apps etc, also it's just in a damn annoying spot).

louyo · ‎05-21-2013

Well, it seems to add one on your system, but not mine. I am running WS 9 on a Linux host (mint). I have had some problems with unity mode, in the past when I enabled compiz. The only "box" added to my screen is the unity menu thingie but it usually places itself in the upper left corner and disappears unless you select "always show menus". It can only be moved if you grab it near the bottom. Do you also have this window? (upper left corner, if it is hidden you have to hover up there)

If that is just some other gray window, I would suspect some conflict with your graphics card, but that is a pure guess.

The screen shot is my system in Unity mode, 2 monitors. A W7 VM is running in Unity mode.

Lou

Melgaard · ‎05-23-2013

Well the thing about that gray box, is that if i right click it I get the "desktop menu" from the guest, indicating that it is somehow linked to the guests desktop...

As for the menu you are talking about (and showing a screenshot of) i expect that the same I get in the lower left corner above my start menu (As I am on Windows 7)

(The cutoff is like that because I run with 2 Monitors where the left one is in vertical position)

Heaven50 · ‎06-05-2013

I'm having the same problem with VMware Player on Windows 7 x64: the guest (Linux Mint 15 Cinnamon) desktop doesn't disappear in Unity mode (features still mostly work). I can even right-click in it. Any suggestions?

Christiang830 · ‎09-30-2013

I have exactly the same situation like Heaven50. Win7 x64 host, Mint Cinnamon 15 guest and the desktop of the Mint OS is still visible in Unity-Mode. Looks the same as the posted screenshot.

Is there any solution to this problem right now or has anyone an idea what is causing this bug?

Thanks

Potkis · ‎10-02-2013

Yep. I have the exact same problem here, in unity-mode there is desktop of guest system showing on host desktop. I have tested both with guest Mint Cinnamon 15 64bit and Ubuntu 13.04 64bit. Host is windows 7 (64bit).

Any solutions or does someone know recent linux desktop distribution that works in unity-mode as guest?

Thanks

louyo · ‎10-02-2013

I don't know it this is any help at all because I run on a Linux host (Mint).

If I run a Mint 15 guest, the Unity menus don't work (just says loading).

If I run a Fedora 17, or a Ubuntu 12.10, guest, All things Unity seem to work fine.

Again, workstation 9 on a Linux host.

Lou

brad1138 · ‎10-26-2013

I am having the exact same problem as Heaven50, which I posted about here: https://communities.vmware.com/thread/461318 before I found this article. Anyone come up with a fix for this?

brad1138 · ‎06-19-2014

Bump, I am having the exact same problem. I am bumping this because it is the only article I can find about it and shows others having same issue.

Anyone ever come up with a fix for this?

brad1138 · ‎06-21-2014

Well, I tried Mint-XFCE and that seems to work fine. Would rather use Cinnamon though.