Installing VMware Tools in Ubuntu

RHochstenbach · 04-11-2009, 10:17 AM

I've noticed that people are installing Linux distributions in virtual machines. Especially the virtualization products of VMware are popular. The most installed distribution in VMware seems to be Ubuntu, as this one of the most user friendly Linux environments available. After installing it, you need to install VMware Tools, as these contain the drivers for the virtual machine. This can be challenging to new users, so I'll write a tutorial for Ubuntu 9.10. It should also work with other versions and distributions.

1. From the menu 'Virtual Machine' in any VMware product, choose 'Install VMware Tools'.
2. A CD icon should now appear on your Ubuntu desktop. Open it if it doesn't do this by itself.
3. There should be two files. A manifest.txt and an archive. Open the archive.

4. Extract the folder 'vmware-tools-distrib' to your home folder. If your username is 'john', you should extract it to the folder 'john' (/home/john).

5. Open a Terminal window.

6. Now enter the following lines. Pressing the ENTER/Return key after each line:

First we go to the 'vmware-tools-distrib'-folder that you've extracted.

Code:

cd ~/vmware-tools-distrib

Now we'll load the installation program with Root privileges.

Code:

sudo ./vmware-install.pl

You should be asked to enter the root password. In Ubuntu this is the same password as you used during the installation.

7. The installation program is now going to ask questions. Press the ENTER/Return key at each line to accept the default answers. Meanwhile the drivers are getting built. You'll see all kinds of rubbish text showing up on the screen. Just let it do everything for you.
8. At the end of the process when the installation is finished, enter the following 4 lines in the Terminal:

Code:

/etc/init.d/networking stop
rmmod pcnet32
rmmod vmxnet
modprobe vmxnet
/etc/init.d/networking start

That's it! Now you can change the screen resolution and enjoy your virtual Ubuntu installation

Fixing build errors

If you're getting error messages about not finding kernel headers or the GCC compiler, then enter the following line in the Terminal:

Code:

sudo apt-get install gcc build-essential

When you're attempting to install VMware Tools on a different Linux Distribution, then the above command might be required in order to install VMware Tools in the first place.

Good luck

donkey42 · 04-11-2009, 09:39 AM

even though i personally haven't used VMware stuff for years i tend to use VBox as i personally find it better & easier to use

however it makes a very different approach than VMware but after using it for a while i'm sure you'll agree

i'm not saying VMware is bad, i actually started my first "virtualisation" on VMware

Edit: BTW: VMware & VBox are free for evaluation or personal use

maminej · 20-11-2009, 12:38 PM

Hi everyone ,

I tried installing the VMware tools in Ubunto 9.10 running under vmware fusion 3.0 on Mac OSX 10.6.
I am still having this error message :

Could not find expected packages
Make sure you are using the correct update repository and that it is configured correctly.

Any idea will be much appreciated

RHochstenbach · 20-11-2009, 01:51 PM

Do you get this message when you attempt to click on Install VMware Tools, or after you've installed the tools?

maminej · 20-11-2009, 01:58 PM

Yes, i got this message when i attempt to click on Install VMware Tools !!!
I tried some tutorials on manually install VmWare tools on ubuntu but i gave up after severals hours attenpting that.

RHochstenbach · 20-11-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maminej

Yes, i got this message when i attempt to click on Install VMware Tools !!!
I tried some tutorials on manually install VmWare tools on ubuntu but i gave up after severals hours attenpting that.

That looks more like an issue with Fusion itself. Run the installation program for Fusion and choose 'Uninstall VMware Fusion'. After that, reinstall it again.

04-11-2009, 10:17 AM	# 1 (permalink) Top
RHochstenbach ehh...what's up, doc? Join Date: Nov 2006 Age: 21 Male Posts: 2,155 Times Helpful: 192 My Mood: Fine Status: Offline My Computer	Installing VMware Tools in Ubuntu I've noticed that people are installing Linux distributions in virtual machines. Especially the virtualization products of VMware are popular. The most installed distribution in VMware seems to be Ubuntu, as this one of the most user friendly Linux environments available. After installing it, you need to install VMware Tools, as these contain the drivers for the virtual machine. This can be challenging to new users, so I'll write a tutorial for Ubuntu 9.10. It should also work with other versions and distributions. 1. From the menu 'Virtual Machine' in any VMware product, choose 'Install VMware Tools'. 2. A CD icon should now appear on your Ubuntu desktop. Open it if it doesn't do this by itself. 3. There should be two files. A manifest.txt and an archive. Open the archive. 4. Extract the folder 'vmware-tools-distrib' to your home folder. If your username is 'john', you should extract it to the folder 'john' (/home/john). 5. Open a Terminal window. 6. Now enter the following lines. Pressing the ENTER/Return key after each line: First we go to the 'vmware-tools-distrib'-folder that you've extracted. Code: cd ~/vmware-tools-distrib Now we'll load the installation program with Root privileges. Code: sudo ./vmware-install.pl You should be asked to enter the root password. In Ubuntu this is the same password as you used during the installation. 7. The installation program is now going to ask questions. Press the ENTER/Return key at each line to accept the default answers. Meanwhile the drivers are getting built. You'll see all kinds of rubbish text showing up on the screen. Just let it do everything for you. 8. At the end of the process when the installation is finished, enter the following 4 lines in the Terminal: Code: /etc/init.d/networking stop rmmod pcnet32 rmmod vmxnet modprobe vmxnet /etc/init.d/networking start That's it! Now you can change the screen resolution and enjoy your virtual Ubuntu installation Fixing build errors If you're getting error messages about not finding kernel headers or the GCC compiler, then enter the following line in the Terminal: Code: sudo apt-get install gcc build-essential When you're attempting to install VMware Tools on a different Linux Distribution, then the above command might be required in order to install VMware Tools in the first place. Good luck __________________ TechLife Zone \| My Blog \| Twitter \| Last.fm "There are only 10 types of people in the world - Those who understand binary, and those who don't." Last edited by RHochstenbach; 04-11-2009 at 10:22 AM..

04-11-2009, 09:39 AM	# 2 (permalink) Top
donkey42 in doubt, give it a clout Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 36 Male Posts: 6,353 Times Helpful: 338 My Mood: Paranoid Status: Offline My Computer	even though i personally haven't used VMware stuff for years i tend to use VBox as i personally find it better & easier to use however it makes a very different approach than VMware but after using it for a while i'm sure you'll agree i'm not saying VMware is bad, i actually started my first "virtualisation" on VMware Edit: BTW: VMware & VBox are free for evaluation or personal use __________________ GRUB manual \| distromania \| Distrowatch \| ~~Kubuntu~~ \| hwf.myminicity \| My Distro (Lenny) Last edited by donkey42; 04-11-2009 at 09:47 AM.. Reason: spell

20-11-2009, 12:38 PM	# 3 (permalink) Top
maminej Geek Trainee Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2 Status: Offline	Hi everyone , I tried installing the VMware tools in Ubunto 9.10 running under vmware fusion 3.0 on Mac OSX 10.6. I am still having this error message : Could not find expected packages Make sure you are using the correct update repository and that it is configured correctly. Any idea will be much appreciated Attached Thumbnails

20-11-2009, 01:51 PM	# 4 (permalink) Top
RHochstenbach ehh...what's up, doc? Join Date: Nov 2006 Age: 21 Male Posts: 2,155 Times Helpful: 192 My Mood: Fine Status: Offline My Computer	Do you get this message when you attempt to click on Install VMware Tools, or after you've installed the tools? __________________ TechLife Zone \| My Blog \| Twitter \| Last.fm "There are only 10 types of people in the world - Those who understand binary, and those who don't."

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20-11-2009, 01:58 PM	# 5 (permalink) Top
maminej Geek Trainee Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2 Status: Offline	Yes, i got this message when i attempt to click on Install VMware Tools !!! I tried some tutorials on manually install VmWare tools on ubuntu but i gave up after severals hours attenpting that.

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