ubuntu allows screen resolutions bigger than 800 x 600. To get this to work under virtualbox, some tricks are needed.
# if not already done, install the desktop. sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop # once done, need to configure screen resolution. By default ubuntu only allows 800 x 600 or 640 x 480. # get linux source first. sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r) # restart gdm /etc/init.d/gdm restart # After logging into the gui, Navigate through the Devices menu to reach the Install Guest Additions option. Click OK when the cdrom dialog box pops up. # the prompt should install the necessary drivers for you. If not, you have to manually do it yourself sudo bash /mnt/cdrom/VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run # After that, replace /etc/X11/xorg.conf with the following config. Change the resolution to suit your needs Section "Device" Identifier "Configured Video Device" Driver "vboxvideo" EndSection Section "Monitor" Identifier "Configured Monitor" EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "Default Screen" Monitor "Configured Monitor" Device "Configured Video Device" DefaultDepth 24 Subsection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1860x1020" EndSubSection EndSection