[NTLUG:Discuss] more vmware4 on mandrake9.1

[kbrannen@gte.net]

Greg Edwards wrote:
> fredjame wrote:
> 
>> Yes, I have the guide (bought the boxed set), and I have followed it.
>> (1) VMware is installed - installed from CD
>> (2) A virtual machine is set up for Win98
>> (3) I can power on the Win98 vitural machine, but after the VMware 
>> screens - blackness - no error message, no whirring of the CD, no 
>> lights on either the CDRom or the floppy - not even a message about 
>> not finding a bootable disk, or whatever.
>> The only thing I can find that might have apply is a couple of notes:
>> "The real-time clock function must be compiled into your Linux Kernel"
>> "VMware Workstation for Linux requires that the parallel port PC-style 
>> hardware option (CONFIG_PARPROT_PC) be built and loaded as a kernel 
>> module (that is it must be set to m when the kernel is compiled).
>> I didn't compile the kernel, and don't know how to check this stuff, 
>> or if I can.  But there weren't any complaints on installing VMware.
>>
> 
> These (clock/parport) should be non issues.
> 
> When you started the virtual machine did you have a floppy or cd 
> inserted?  Is your bios set to boot to that device?  When you start a 
> virtual machine it acts just like the red switch approach.
> 
> You can also check which devices VMware thinks are connected.  I don't 
> remember the exact location but it should be front and center when 
> you've got a configuration open.
> 
> 

Yes, you may very well have to change the "BIOS" settings (in vmware machine); 
like a regular PC, you can get there by hitting Del or F2 (I forget which) 
when "booting".  I had to do that to get it to boot from the CD.

Also, did you try leaving it and letting it run for a bit?  If you did, and it 
finally started after about 3 minutes or so, that's a sign that you've told it 
some piece of hardware is there, but it's not.  For example, I see this on my 
laptop at work when I tell it it has a floppy, but I've swapped out the floppy 
to the CD, but the floppy is marked (in the "machine" configuration) as 
present and "connect at power on".  Just turn those check boxes off and the 
timeout delay will go away.  (this is what Greg is talking about, but maybe 
the extra detail will help)

Vmware also has several NNTP news groups, and there are some very knowledgable 
and helpful people on them.  I try to skim and read interesting threads there 
once a week.  You can find them via Vmware's website.  They also have a 
"knowledge base" there that's quite helpful.

HTH,
Kevin