Host cursor visible in guest, produces double cursors -> fixed in 5.1.30

[Socratis]

Since 5.1b1 there are some guests (I believe the ones that do not have GAs installed/active) where the host cursor is visible when the mouse is in the guest (normal, windowed mode). What you can notice is that there are 2 cursors which move "in parallel". Symptoms:

• On OSX <= 10.9, the two cursors overlap when the mouse is in the middle of the guest's screen. The further away you move from the center, the guest cursor moves faster compared to the host cursor by a factor of 1.2. End result: two completely separate cursors.
• If you move the mouse fast enough you can see the guest's mouse trying to "catch up". Sort of like the mouse trails effect in some OSes. This mainly happens with Windows in safe mode, OSX > 10.9, Android, Linux guests.
• Cursor within a cursor when a magnification factor is used in the guest.

There has been a discussion about this in ​https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=78510. If there is a need to re-attach the pictures locally to the bug report, please say so.

Host: MacBookPro 17", early 2011. OSX 10.9.5.

[Socratis]

Log file of a 10.9 guest if needed

[Rodneyt]

I am having the dual cursor in guest issue as well.

HOST: Mac OS X 10.11.6 GUEST: Mac OS X 10.6.8

This needs to be corrected as it is frustrating trying to work with two cursors in the guest window!

[Louis King Jr]

OSX 10.11.6 Host. VB 5.1.2 SL 10.6.8 guest. same twin cursors.

[Frank Mehnert]

Guest type is all but to me it seems that this is only relevant for Mac OS X guests?

[Socratis]

Replying to frank:

Guest type is all but to me it seems that this is only relevant for Mac OS X guests?

Not really, it's not. It's more "pronounced" in OSX guests up to 10.9, but it's in all the guests that do not have GAs available. As I said in the bug report it even happens with Linux LiveCDs, Androids, Windows (all) in safe mode.

If for example you move the cursor at the login password field, you get one host cursor (typical pointer) and another guest cursor, the I-beam (for the password field). If not, the guest cursor is playing catch up to the host one.

I was out for a couple of days. Downloading b110033 as we speak. If it doesn't work, I'll upload an example pic.

[Socratis]

As promised: b110033 and a composite screenshot of a Windows 7 at safe mode. Magnified x3.

[SkiAddict1]

Making a comment so I can be notified when this is fixed, thanks.

[nfolken]

I'm experiencing this issue running Virtualbox 5.1.6 on a MacOS 10.11.6 host and a KDE4 OpenSUSE Leap 42.1 guest. After a fresh install (using an older guest additions that came from the OpenSUSE repos) everything is fine, but after installing the latest from the CD I get the host cursor over the guest cursor, and ​the guest cursor lags. What is extra strange is that uninstalling and reinstalling from the repo doesn't fix it. Something in the install shell script is breaking my install. It appears to be limited to a mac host and OpenSUSE guest, as the problem disappears if I move my VM to a windows host, and I've tried the same install process with Mageia and Kubuntu, and they are fine. More info is in my forum thread here: ​https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=79910

[Socratis]

Replying to nfolken:

It appears to be limited to a mac host and OpenSUSE guest, as the problem disappears if I move my VM to a windows host

Let me correct you slightly on this: it is not an OpenSUSE guest problem, it is a problem with all the guests that do not have GAs installed, or installed correctly.

[Lars Sonchocky-Helldorf]

Still happens on VirtualBox 5.1.8 r111374 (Qt5.5.1) on different OS X Hosts (10.6.8, 10.10.5) with all my OS X Guests (10.6.8, 10.11 and 10.12)

[jjforums]

I'm having this same issues with Linux host and guests.

Host: Ubuntu GNOME 16.04; Guests: Lubuntu 14.04, Lubuntu 16.04, Xubuntu 16.04.

I see two cursors and the cursor trembles.

[Socratis]

Replying to jjforums:

I'm having this same issues with Linux host and guests.

No, you do NOT have the same problem. This problem is only apparent in OSX hosts. You might have a similar problem, but it may be totally unrelated. Similar symptoms do not always mean the same problem. Why? Because nobody has seen that before on non-OSX hosts. And it's an old one (since 5.1.0 beta to be exact), so someone would have said something. Plus there's no "trembling" of any sorts.

BTW, you didn't even mention your VirtualBox version, whether it's a forked version (from the Ubuntu repositories) or if you've seen it on other guests that are not Ubuntu based. Please let's continue this discussion where you started it; in the forums: ​https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=80991

[jjforums]

Replying to socratis:

Replying to jjforums:

I'm having this same issues with Linux host and guests.

No, you do NOT have the same problem. This problem is only apparent in OSX hosts. You might have a similar problem, but it may be totally unrelated. Similar symptoms do not always mean the same problem. Why? Because nobody has seen that before on non-OSX hosts. And it's an old one (since 5.1.0 beta to be exact), so someone would have said something. Plus there's no "trembling" of any sorts.

BTW, you didn't even mention your VirtualBox version, whether it's a forked version (from the Ubuntu repositories) or if you've seen it on other guests that are not Ubuntu based. Please let's continue this discussion where you started it; in the forums: ​https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=80991

Sorry, so I am having a similar issue with Linux hosts and guests. I've seen something related to non-macOS hosts and tried to add to the report, maybe another user could relate to the post on non-macOS hosts, maybe it's something in other OS. I could not know that.

BTW I did not start the discussion, I continued the topic created by another user.

My version: Version 5.1.12 r112440 (Qt5.5.1), downloaded amd64 .deb from Virtualbox website.

[Socratis]

1. I wasn't trying to "scare" you away, I'm just saying that this has not been reported before and before the bug starting getting diluted, we should be do some more investigative work.
2. I wanted to know if you've seen it with other non-Ubuntu guests.
3. I once again invite you to continue this discussion in the forums. Way too many more eyes. I've already replied to your post there...

[jjforums]

Ok. I replied in the forums, tried to put more details there.

[Chris Murphy]

This is still a problem, two mouse arrows appear in the VM. I'm not sure what information to provide other than the log. Host MacbookPro 8,2 running 10.12.2 Guest running 10.9.1

[Chris Murphy]

vboxlog 5.1.12r112440

[7usr7local]

I am affected too. Just downloaded and installed Virtual Box 5.1.14 r112924 (Qt5.6.2) on Mac running OS X 10.10.5 (14F2109) and started an existing VM running OS X 10.8.2 (12C60) inside. I didn't see the problem in the Virtual Box running before the update, unfortunately I don't know which version I did upgrade from.

Cheers,

Peter

[shermanator]

To add another data point, I am having this same issue. Here are my specifics: VirtualBox 5.1.14 r112924 (Qt5.6.2) Host OS Mac OS 10.12.3 Host Hardware Late 2016 MacBook Pro Guest OS Mac OS 10.6.8

[Joncas]

I'm having the same problem with Virtualbox 5.1.14 under OS-X 10.11.6 host and Snow Leopard 10.6.8 Server guest. Until this bug gets fixed, I found it helpful to go to the "Universal Access" settings in the system preferences of the guest and make the mouse cursor larger, that way one can at least tell very easily which of the two cursors belongs to the guest!

[Malbone]

I'm having the same problem with Virtualbox 5.1.18 under OS-X 10.9.5 host and Snow Leopard 10.6.8 guest. In my case the cursors meet in the center of the screen. It seems to me, as a non-techie, that this is an issue of the VM misjudging the pixel count in the guest's screen. FWIW, I have scaling set at 100%.

[Socratis]

Replying to Malbone:

It seems to me, as a non-techie, that this is an issue of the VM misjudging the pixel count in the guest's screen.

Actually it's a combination of things:

1. The host cursor is not hidden, displaying two cursors at the guest's screen; one for the host, one for the guest. You can see that effect on non-OSX guests that do not have the guest additions installed.
2. OSX using a multiplication factor of 1.2 for the coordinates of the mouse. That used to be the case until 10.9.x, after that Apple changed the "tune". You can see that effect if you downgrade VirtualBox in the edges of your guest, where you think you're in one place, yet you're off by x1.2 from the center.

[Hiker]

I am running El Capitan (10.11.6) and Virtualbox v5.1.22 r115126 (Qt5.6.2) and this is an issue for me.

Please can somebody fix this!

[Lars Sonchocky-Helldorf]

Runninng 10.6.8 guest inside 10.10.5, this is an issue for me.

[vvhorus]

Hello!

I'm running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 guest on a late 2013 MacPro with El Capitan 10.11.6 host using VirtualBox 5.0.34 r113845 without any double cursor issues. If I upgrade VB to anything newer than that, I get the double cursor issue.

Thanks!

[NoelW]

I am running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 (server) guest on a 2009 Mac Pro (4.1) with Mavericks 10.9.5 host. I have been tearing my hair our with the twin pointer problem. Thanks to the last contributor I am back on Virtualbox 5.0.34 and the problem has disappeared.

Great!

[Socratis]

Replying to vvhorus:

using VirtualBox 5.0.34 r113845 without any double cursor issues.

Replying to NoelW:

I am back on Virtualbox 5.0.34 and the problem has disappeared.

Actually, you can go up to 5.0.40 r115130. All VirtualBox versions up to the 5.1.x series do not have the double-cursor problem. As the ticket says in the description, the problem started at the 5.1b1 version, maybe even earlier at the developer builds.

The culprit most probably (methinks) is the move from Qt 4.8 to Qt 5.6.2.

[Chris Murphy]

I have no idea if it's a related cause, but the double arrow problem appears to also happen on qemu-kvm and the solution is to install a tablet driver so it's picked up as an absolute pointing device I guess. ​https://github.com/kholia/OSX-KVM ​https://github.com/pmj/QemuUSBTablet-OSX

But merely installing this tablet driver doesn't make any difference with VirtualBox.

[Charles B. Mc Kennie]

Same with 5.1.27. Await fix. Downgraded to 5.0.40

[Socratis]

I have the feeling that we may have to collectively look for the fix. I would like to think that it is a Qt related issue just like in #16246, but I'm not sure about it either. I did a quick search some time ago, but nada...

[Gutterflower]

I have the same issue on a newly-installed Snow Leopard Server guest installation, with the host running Mac OS X 10.11.6. VirtualBox version: 5.1.26 r117224 (Qt5.6.2).

[Sergei Reznikov]

Same issue here with vbox 5.1.26 on macOS 10.12.6 and Haiku guest.

[Socratis]

Great news everyone! This issue has been identified as a Qt 5.6.2 bug (​QTBUG-33479 and ​QTBUG-52023) and it has been fixed with the release of Qt 5.6.3 on 2017-09-25.

The developers built VirtualBox 5.2.0 rc1+ with Qt 5.6.3 and they released a "Development Snapshot" at https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Testbuilds (at the bottom of the page) build ≥ 118302. Give it a try and see if the problem is resolved.

I don't know enough, but chances are that 5.2.0 final won't have this bug, and the next 5.1.x maintenance release will also have the fix, if it is compiled with Qt 5.6.3. Which I don't see any reason why not, but you never know, they might discover a show-stopper bug in there, let's hope not...

[Socratis]

So, no one has tried this? No confirmations so far? I thought you people were really impacted by this ;)

[Louis King Jr]

I tried it. :) ANd I tried to mistakenly reply to the email. lol

The test build crashes for me on with any guest on High Sierra 10.13.1b2 so no, didn't work for me. :p

[Socratis]

That's a bummer... Not to sidetrack the discussion about this issue (there is a dedicated ticket #17150 about the crashes on the 10.13.1 beta), but did you try the workaround? Starting headless?

[Louis King Jr]

Well no, since my VMs don't crash with VB 5.1.28 or VB 5.2.0rc1. Of course the only guest where I see dbl cursors is my Snow Leopard guest which I really don't use.

[CyborgSam]

Double cursor issue fixed for me after upgrading from 5.1.28 to 5.2.0. Host is macOS Sierra, guest is Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

Thanks to the developers for fixing this!

[steve123]

Replying to socratis:

So, no one has tried this? No confirmations so far? I thought you people were really impacted by this ;)

Hi, I tried the development build (118335) and it "mostly" addresses the issue. You can still cause the cursor offset / double cursor issue by moving the cursor to the top of the window where the host and guest cursors separate. Then, move the host cursor along the window and click and drag the guest window. Move the cursor into the guest again and there is an offset.

You can "reset" it though and get the cursors to line up again by moving the guest cursor off the edge of the guest window and back.

So, "mostly" fixed but there is still an issue.

[Socratis]

Replying to steve123:

So, "mostly" fixed but there is still an issue.

You didn't mention your guest. I don't see that effect that you're describing, maybe it has to do with the guest?

You can also test if this is a regression by downgrading to the last of the 5.0.x series (5.0.40 as of this writing). If you see the same effect there, then it's not the same issue. This issue here was about the inability to hide the host cursor while in an area that the cursor was supposed to be hidden, not about an offset issue.

[steve123]

Host and Guest cursor top right

[steve123]

Host and guest cursor centre

[steve123]

Host and guest cursor bottom right

[steve123]

Replying to socratis:

Replying to steve123:

So, "mostly" fixed but there is still an issue.

You didn't mention your guest. I don't see that effect that you're describing, maybe it has to do with the guest?

You can also test if this is a regression by downgrading to the last of the 5.0.x series (5.0.40 as of this writing). If you see the same effect there, then it's not the same issue. This issue here was about the inability to hide the host cursor while in an area that the cursor was supposed to be hidden, not about an offset issue.

Apologies. The host is macOS 10.12.6 and the guest is OS X 10.6.0.

The host cursor and the guest cursor overlap at the centre of the guest window. When you move the cursor, the host cursor and the guest cursor are no longer lined up and you see both on screen. I have attached three photos of the guest screen that shows the two cursors in the top right quadrant, centre and bottom left quadrant. (I had to take a photo because when the guest has captured the keyboard, I cannot take a screen shot with CMD SHIFT 4).

It is a little tricky to get this to happen. Slowly move the cursor to the top of the menu bar. Then push the host cursor into the title bar. When the cursor appears in the title bar, move it a little to the left or right while staying in the title bar. Click the title bar and move the guest window. Now, quickly move the cursor back into the guest window. I can get the dual cursors (host and guest) to appear about 20% of the time when I do this.

[steve123]

oops, I labeled the last photo incorrectly, I intended the "other right" ;-) ... it should be labeled "Host and guest cursor bottom left".

[steve123]

Also note, I used one of the suggestions above and made the guest cursor larger using the universal access preferences. The smaller cursor is the host cursor.

[steve123]

I found another way to replicate the issue well.

First, make sure the "Shake mouse pointer to locate" is enabled in the Accessibility preference of the host.

Next, position the cursor in the top right of the guest.

Now, move the cursor back and forth quickly to trigger the "Shake mouse pointer to locate" to make it bigger. This will cause the host cursor to enlarge. You will see two cursors now, the guest (still small) and the host (a large one).

I will attach a short video showing this.

[steve123]

Video showing host and guest cursor top right

[Socratis]

Starting from the last part, the enlarged cursor. This is something that OSX must be doing without notifying anyone else (apps). I don't think that this could be something easy to fix, you're going to have to live with it.

For your first issue, this is the behavior I originally noticed and I filed the ticket. And this was going on for more than a year. I did notice sometimes a double cursor (after the fix), but I thought it was my "imagination", because as soon as I would leave the VM window and returned back, the issue wasn't there, it was getting synchronized again. I could live with that, especially knowing that this was a Qt bug and it's not something that the VirtualBox developers could easily address.

[steve123]

I agree, at this point I think it is pretty minor.

The last part with the video is just a way to replicate the issue. My guess is that Qt does not actually "hide" the host cursor. It appears to me the two cursors actually just overlap so you do not notice it. When they get out of "sync", that is when the problem arises.

[Socratis]

Replying to steve123:

It appears to me the two cursors actually just overlap so you do not notice it. When they get out of "sync", that is when the problem arises.

Actually not on OSX between 10.5.x and 10.9.x (inclusive). The OSX cursor is off by 20% from the center of the VM window. Only with 10.10 did Apple change their tactic. So, there is no overlapping at all if you're not dead-center in the VM window. The more you move to the borders, the more pronounced it is (by 20%). So 200px off center translates into 40px difference in the host and guest cursor, 500px off center translates into 100px difference in the host and guest cursor, so on and so forth...

[Michael Thayer]

Please re-open if not fixed in 5.1.30.

[G1ne]

Hi,

I have this same issue in Version 5.1.31 r118724 (Qt5.6.3) Following an attempted install of GA 5.2.1.

[c094728]

Hi, I have this same issue with 5.1.28 on windows 10 after aborted attempt to install 5.2.0 Mouse had been working fine before but now I have two pointers about a half inch apart

[c094728]

Replying to c094728:

Hi, I have this same issue with 5.1.28 on windows 10 after aborted attempt to install 5.2.0 Mouse had been working fine before but now I have two pointers about a half inch apart

Update: I installed 5.2.0 and also VBoxGuestAdditions_5.2.1-118918.iso Still have the double cursor. It goes away if I turn off mouse integration but then I have to hit Ctrl key to release the mouse every time I want to move out of virtualbox window.

Update: It's working ok now. I rebooted by guest OS instead of saving state and now have one cursor.

[Socratis]

@G1ne, @c094728
This ticket is for OSX hosts only, and this issue had a very specific cause and a very specific resolution. So, if you're talking about non-OSX hosts, then it's another issue.

@G1ne
If this is indeed with an OSX host, then could you please state the OSX version, VirtualBox version and more importantly which client exactly.

[Michael Thayer]

The problem with the double cursor after a saved state is not the same as this, and not one which sounds familiar - please create a new ticket for it if you are interested in helping get it solved. I will close this again.