Arch Linux

gaten

Member

Registered: 2009-09-04

Posts: 5

Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

I'm having trouble installing the official Vmware Workstation 6.5.3 64bit bundle from vmware.com. The install always hangs at the Vmware Player configuration.

I've tried both the graphical install, using:

kdesu sh VMware-Workstation-6.5.3-185404.x86_64.bundle

and from the command line:

# sh VMware-Workstation-6.5.3-185404.x86_64.bundle --custom --console

I see no error messages, and the installers stop at the same place in both instances (configuring Vmware Player). The command line version reports the install to stop at 62%. I've left the install run while I was at work (all day), and nothing changed.

When I kill the installer using xkill or killall, I am able to use Player (although I can't run any vms in it), but workstation itself is not installed (I have no /usr/bin/vmware binary).

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm using kernel 2.6.30-ARCH. I cannot patch the modules because the install does not complete, before you ask.

Thank you.

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In a world full of liars, is an honest man a fool or a hero?

jebus

Member

From: cAnAdA

Registered: 2009-09-06

Posts: 8

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

I have this identical issue friend.

More so I had Workstation 6.5.3 64 bit installed as of Friday, Unfortunetly a pacman
update destroyed the ati 3d support and a "reinstall"of vmware in
hopes of fixing it has rendered it disfunctional.

The problem is with the the paths to the system service runlevels & system service scripts.
The wisdom is to use /etc/rc.d/vmware.d and /etc/rc.d respectively, however in my experience
this is hit or miss.

It sure would be nice if I didn't have to devote so much time to installing
vmware cause frankly debian/redhat makes Arch look quite idiotic in that respect.

Presumably Gaten your problem can be fixed with - mkdir -p /etc/rc.d/vmware.d/rc{0,1,2,3,4,5,6}.d
and using the corresponding paths above although something tells me you already know this and have
the same great situation with no solution.  Who knows?

Last edited by jebus (2009-09-06 16:03:48)

kjon

Member

From: Temuco, Chile

Registered: 2008-04-16

Posts: 398

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

I confirm this. The installer stucks at Vmplayer. Doesn't matter if using the gtk or the console interface.

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They say that if you play a Win cd backward you hear satanic messages. That's nothing! 'cause if you play it forwards, it installs windows.

jebus

Member

From: cAnAdA

Registered: 2009-09-06

Posts: 8

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

I'm really not impressed because it installed once and was perfectly functional.
Then it broke and what worked before did not work again...
I wonder how cutting edge the Arch base is when vmware is not a top priority.
Do not get me wrong arch is premium quality but it's nano now too guys.

10wattmindtrip

Member

Registered: 2009-06-18

Posts: 28

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

Correct me if I'm wrong.
Isn't the reason why VMWare is so 'odd' on arch linux is because Arch doesn't follow the init system that most Linux Distro's use?

I could be wrong. I use Virtual Box for all of my vm stuff, so I'm not exactly knowledgable with VMWare (I have used it though, on Gentoo, and even that had some issues)..

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which would you choose: A god that never answers you or a society that embraces you?

jebus

Member

From: cAnAdA

Registered: 2009-09-06

Posts: 8

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

I would say that the BSD style init scripts prevent a non standard approach to the install.
However the current solution which I might add is mentioned as being "temp" is not particularly reliable.
Furthermore I really can't see FreeBSD being a hassle for vmware in any regard, which I'm sure makes
this a neglected arch specific problem that really could benefit from some further attention.

jebus

Member

From: cAnAdA

Registered: 2009-09-06

Posts: 8

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

My vmware install logs don't really help here but they do show where it trails off into oblivion:

Sep 06 21:47:10.011: app| Log for VMware Workstation pid=26637 version=6.5.3 build=build-185404 option=Release
Sep 06 21:47:10.012: app| Host codepage=UTF-8 encoding=UTF-8
Sep 06 21:47:11.081: app| Extracting the sources of the vmmon module.
Sep 06 21:47:11.117: app| Building module with command: /usr/bin/make -C /tmp/vmware-root/modules/vmmon-only auto-build SUPPORT_SMP=1 HEADER_DIR=/lib/modules/2.6.30-ARCH/build/inc$
Sep 06 21:47:20.240: app| The vmmon module loads perfectly in the running kernel.
Sep 06 21:47:20.240: app|
Sep 06 21:47:20.265: app| Registering file: /usr/lib/vmware/installer/vmware-installer --register-file vmware-player regular /lib/modules/2.6.30-ARCH/misc/vmmon.o
Sep 06 21:47:20.616: app| Registering file: /usr/lib/vmware/installer/vmware-installer --register-file vmware-player regular /lib/modules/2.6.30-ARCH/misc/vmmon.ko
Sep 06 21:47:21.673: app| Extracting the sources of the vmnet module.
Sep 06 21:47:21.697: app| Building module with command: /usr/bin/make -C /tmp/vmware-root/modules/vmnet-only auto-build SUPPORT_SMP=1 HEADER_DIR=/lib/modules/2.6.30-ARCH/build/inc$

Last edited by jebus (2009-09-06 18:51:34)

jebus

Member

From: cAnAdA

Registered: 2009-09-06

Posts: 8

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

Okay I just resolved it with the firm help of
http://communities.vmware.com/thread/227575

My apologies to arch, this is vmware
idiocy and lack of support. Live and learn:

The solution:

The instant it hits 62% in the --console --custom install do:

1. mv /etc/vmware/database /etc/vmware/database_old

The install will skip it's otherwise permanent hang by doing just that. 

Move it back after the installation finishes

2. mv /etc/vmware/database_old /etc/vmware/database

Post install do:

3. vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

Hope it helps you guys as it has for me.

Last edited by jebus (2009-09-07 00:26:49)

gaten

Member

Registered: 2009-09-04

Posts: 5

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

Thank you! This worked great, my Vms are up and running again.

Many thanks.

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In a world full of liars, is an honest man a fool or a hero?

jebus

Member

From: cAnAdA

Registered: 2009-09-06

Posts: 8

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

np

chebe

Member

From: Noumea

Registered: 2008-07-08

Posts: 3

Website

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

I had to do it in a slightly different way to get it to work :

sh VMware-Workstation-6.5.3-185404.x86_64.bundle

-- then while the EULA was waiting to be accepted --

mv /etc/vmware/database /etc/vmware/database_old

proceed with the install and move back the database back

mv /etc/vmware/database_old /etc/vmware/database

Thanks all for your solutions !

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Chebe DEWEL
Bow before me, for I am root

nblock

Member

From: Austria

Registered: 2008-08-06

Posts: 123

Website

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

thx for the hints. installation worked!

Mr.Elendig

#archlinux@freenode channel op

From: The intertubes

Registered: 2004-11-07

Posts: 4,092

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

As a slight sidenote, you really should wrap it in a PKGBUILD instead of installing like that.

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Evil #archlinux@libera.chat channel op and general support dude.
. files on github, Screenshots, Random pics and the rest

brendan

Member

From: UK

Registered: 2009-05-16

Posts: 130

Website

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

chebe's method worked for me but I had to wait quite a little while before passing 62%.

nearly gave up, but the install finished.

jni

Member

Registered: 2009-10-30

Posts: 36

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

This fixed my problem with VMware player too! w00t thanks guys

sHyLoCk

Member

From: /dev/null

Registered: 2009-06-19

Posts: 1,197

Re: Vmware workstation 6.5.3 64bit Install problems

Someone needs to update the Wiki. Can you please do it? I could do it but since I don't use it I shouldn't do it myself without proper knowhow.

Last edited by sHyLoCk (2009-11-09 01:50:17)

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sHy
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