How to VMWare Server 1.0.7 with Ubuntu 8.10

[bodhi.zazen]

Install VMWare 1.0.7 in Ubuntu 8.10

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Introduction

Well, just to clarify, installation of VMWare is dependent on the version of your Linux kernel, not so much the version of Ubuntu (although obviously there is a relationship between the two).

I would also like to thank all the people who offered solutions to problems, in particular Kang and nthrbldyblg.

This how-to works for server 1.0.7 / workstation 5.5.x and both 32 and 64 bit hosts.

Lets do it

1. Prep ~ Install the needed tools.
   

   sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-`uname -r` xinetd

   *64 bit users only*
   In addition install ia32-libs (ia32-libs is in universe so you may need to enable the repository) :
   

   sudo apt-get install ia32-libs

   Note: Some users reported the need to install additional dependencies :
   

   sudo apt-get install libxtst6 libxt6 libxrender1

   ~ Thanks SirMADOG and whitegourd
2. Download vmware server (be sure to obtain a serial number) Place in an installation directory ( I use ~/src/VMWare).
   
   

   mkdir -p ~/src/VMWare #Download VMWare files here

   • VMWare server : http://www.vmware.com/download/server/
   • VMWare serial number : http://register.vmware.com/content/registration.html
   
   
3. Extract and run the VMWare Server installer.
   

   cd ~/src/VMWare
   tar xzf VMware-server-1.0.7-108231.tar.gz
   
   cd ~/src/VMWare/vmware-server-distrib 
   sudo ./vmware-install.pl

   Stop the installer (answer "no") when it asks if you wish to run "vmware-config.pl". If you continue with the installation at this point it will do not harm, it will just terminate with an error (see next step).
   
   ~ Thanks mandavi and GuruX
4. Install and run the patch from Kang. See This (Launchpad) bug report.
   
   Download the patch from here : vmware-update-2.6.27-5.5.7-2.tar.gz
   
   Thank you Kang.
   
   Again, save it in ~/src/VMWare
   
   Extract the patch ("update")
   

   tar xzf vmware-update-2.6.27-5.5.7-2.tar.gz

5. Install the patch (which will install VMWare server as well).
   
   

   cd vmware-update
   sudo ./run-me

   This will patch vmware and start the installer. Unless you know what you are doing, select the defaults and Enter your serial # during the installation..
   
   That is it.

Well, almost ...

There is an issue with the keyboard as well. See this blog for details (and the solution).

Thanks nthrbldyblg.

Basically, using any editor (gedit), put this into ~/.vmware/config :

Note: For some reason it is confusing people (my mistake ), the file "~/.vmware/config" does not exist by default, you need to create it.

Using any editor make a file ~/.vmware/config

The directory ~/.vmware *should* exist, but the "config" file does not.

Add the following text (from the VMWare forums):

xkeymap.nokeycodeMap = TRUE

WARNING: The 'xkeymap.nokeycodeMap = true' configuration breaks the Unity feature on VMWare Workstation! Use the alternate solution below.

Old solution (I left this in the event the "new" configuration does not work, you do not need to do this if the above solution works).

xkeymap.keycode.108 = 0x138 # Alt_R
 xkeymap.keycode.106 = 0x135 # KP_Divide
 xkeymap.keycode.104 = 0x11c # KP_Enter
 xkeymap.keycode.111 = 0x148 # Up
 xkeymap.keycode.116 = 0x150 # Down
 xkeymap.keycode.113 = 0x14b # Left
 xkeymap.keycode.114 = 0x14d # Right
 xkeymap.keycode.105 = 0x11d # Control_R
 xkeymap.keycode.118 = 0x152 # Insert
 xkeymap.keycode.119 = 0x153 # Delete
 xkeymap.keycode.110 = 0x147 # Home
 xkeymap.keycode.115 = 0x14f # End
 xkeymap.keycode.112 = 0x149 # Prior
 xkeymap.keycode.117 = 0x151 # Next
 xkeymap.keycode.78 = 0x46 # Scroll_Lock
 xkeymap.keycode.127 = 0x100 # Pause
 xkeymap.keycode.133 = 0x15b # Meta_L
 xkeymap.keycode.134 = 0x15c # Meta_R
 xkeymap.keycode.135 = 0x15d # Menu

Thanks nthrbldyblg

[fjgaude]

Thanks for the quick fix.

Just a note: .vmware folder doesn't have a file named config in it so we have to create one for the keystroke data. Works great, but I did have to add this line to the /etc/fstab file to get VMware to show my USBs:

usbfs   /proc/bus/usb   usbfs   auto   0   0

I can't say if it is necessary in all cases, but it has been for mine.

[bodhi.zazen]

Thanks for the quick fix.

Just a note: .vmware folder doesn't have a file named config in it so we have to create one for the keystroke data. Works great, but I did have to add this line to the /etc/fstab file to get VMware to show my USBs:

usbfs   /proc/bus/usb   usbfs   auto   0   0

I can't say if it is necessary in all cases, but it has been for mine.

As usual, thank you once again figaude.

[mandavi]

If you get an error message saying:

Unable to open the installer database /etc/vmware/locations in read-mode.

Execution aborted.

start to install the unpachted VMWare untill you get an error message and run the update after that. Only than it worked for me.

[GuruX]

If you get an error message saying:

Unable to open the installer database /etc/vmware/locations in read-mode.

Execution aborted.

start to install the unpachted VMWare untill you get an error message and run the update after that. Only than it worked for me.

I had kind of the same problem. The trick is to first run the vmware-install.pl. But do NOT let it invoke the vmware-config.pl for you. Choose no and instead run the runme.pl from the vmware-update patch.

[bodhi.zazen]

If you get an error message saying:

Unable to open the installer database /etc/vmware/locations in read-mode.

Execution aborted.

start to install the unpachted VMWare untill you get an error message and run the update after that. Only than it worked for me.

I had kind of the same problem. The trick is to first run the vmware-install.pl. But do NOT let it invoke the vmware-config.pl for you. Choose no and instead run the runme.pl from the vmware-update patch.

Thank you both as well, I updated the how-to

[SirMADOG]

Yeah I ran this and it never accepts any of the serials I have from VMware.

I love this error message:

The process exited with an error:
/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-vmx: error while loading shared libraries: libXtst.so.6: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory End of error message.


After some Googledrudging I got this guide:
http://www.rasyid.net/2008/07/09/usr...red-libraries/

so I ran: apt-get install libxtst6

Still won't let me put in a valid serial

[whitegourd]

I had to install additional items as well as the patch to get vmware server to work on 8.10

apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-`uname -r` xinetd libxtst6 libxt6 libxrender1

[carpe diem]

when trying to install the patch i get this

theninja@ninja:~$ tar xzf vmware-update-2.6.27-5.5.7-2.tar.gz
tar: vmware-update-2.6.27-5.5.7-2.tar.gz: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now
tar: Child returned status 2
tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors
theninja@ninja:~$

[bodhi.zazen]

Yeah I ran this and it never accepts any of the serials I have from VMware.

I love this error message:

The process exited with an error:
/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-vmx: error while loading shared libraries: libXtst.so.6: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory End of error message.


After some Googledrudging I got this guide:
http://www.rasyid.net/2008/07/09/usr...red-libraries/

so I ran: apt-get install libxtst6

Still won't let me put in a valid serial

I had to install additional items as well as the patch to get vmware server to work on 8.10

apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-`uname -r` xinetd libxtst6 libxt6 libxrender1

Thanks you two, I added that information in.

when trying to install the patch i get this

theninja@ninja:~$ tar xzf vmware-update-2.6.27-5.5.7-2.tar.gz
tar: vmware-update-2.6.27-5.5.7-2.tar.gz: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now
tar: Child returned status 2
tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors
theninja@ninja:~$

My guess is a corrupt down load, try downloading the patch again