Install VMware Tools on Ubuntu Edgy Eft
Update: If you have VMware Workstation version 5.5.3, you will want to follow the updated guide. If you are using version 5.5.2 or below, continue on.
Ubuntu continues to evolve, and the pre-compiled vmware tools just don’t have the time to adapt. This makes it a little more difficult to install, but not impossible.
The first thing that is important is that you will need to know is that you have to install the compilation utilities, which aren’t installed by default. Run these commands to get you started:
sudo apt-get install build-essential
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r`
The first command installs gcc and all the compiler utilities. The second command installs the header files for your currently running kernel. Notice that the ` is the one next to the 1 key on your keyboard.
Now you’ll want to navigate to the VM \ Install VMware Tools menu:
This will mount the vmware tools in Ubuntu so that you can begin the install. To install the tools, run the following commands:
cp /cdrom/*.gz /tmp/
cd /tmp
tar xvzf VM*.gz
cd vmware*
sudo ./vmware-install.pl
Select all of the defaults. It will prompt you that you need to compile the module for your system. Select yes and continue.
When you are all done, reboot your virtual machine, and that’s all there is to it.
Tested on: Ubuntu Dapper, Ubuntu Edgy Eft
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I installed XP within Ubuntu using VMware, (http://i100.photobucket.com/al.....nshot.jpg). Problem is that in the last few days it has slowed down considerably. Do you have any advice as to how I can make it improve? Or do I downgrade to Win2k?
This does not work with Ubunto 6.1.0 and VMWare Workstation 5.5.1.
I get the following message at the end of compile:
Detected X.org version 7.1.
Problem extracting verion of X.org
Execution aborted.
Anyone know why this is happening?
childers,
I’m using vmware 5.5.2… you may want to upgrade a version.
Upgrading to 5.5.2 version of VMWare did the trick! Thanks!
Yes, upgrading to 5.5.3 version of VMWare fix my issue.
Thank you.
I had to do the following before running vmware-install.pl:
cd /usr/src
sudo ln -s linux-headers-`uname -r` linux
cd linux
sudo make oldconfig
sudo make prepare
Worked fine with Xbuntu 6.1 and VMWare 5.5.3 within WinXPPro.
Thanks.
Actually alien is easier IMO.
Worked perfectly for me.
It worked on Ubuntu Edgy Eft under VMware Workstation 6 beta (build -39849)
Thanks =) works no problem.
Thanks! it works on ubuntu 7.04, VMware Fusion 1.0b3 (43733)!
Hi, I’m using VMware Server Console v. 1.02 and ubuntu 7.04. The host OS is Windows Vista.
I get the following error message whenever i run the VMware Tools install
If you wish to have the shared folders feature, you can install the driver by running vmware-config-tools.pl again after making sure that gcc, binutils, make and the kernel sources for your running kernel are installed on your machine. These packages are available on your distribution’s installation cd.
The rest of the vmware tools install fine but i really want the shared folders feature. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
I also have the same problem. The guest os is XP though. I am going to try the ‘crazy’ approach and listen to the message in the mean time…
I did it by the book, there seems to be some issue with the header files when it ‘makes’ the driver
Did the ‘crazy’ approach work?
This howto works fine with ESX 3.0.1 and kubuntu Linux version 2.6.15-23-386 (buildd@rothera) (gcc version 4.0.3 (Ubuntu 4.0.3-1ubuntu5)
F R E A K I N G can’t believe it, well it worked
for me too using VMware WS 6 on Vista Ultimate
with virtual Feisty
don’t forget to put /usr/bin/vmware-toolbox in the list of programs to run automatically
systems->preferences->sessions
here is the feisty startup
Hi All,
I am a newbie to Linux and Kubuntu. I am trying it out as a VM running as a guest under a WinXP Pro SP2 host.
I think I have installed VMWare Tools in Kubuntu 7.04 correcly, and after a bit of searching I found it listed in the following location:
System Settings – Advanced – System Services
as ‘not running’ but with a cross in the ’start on boot’ option – I am guessing that a cross means to run on boot rather than don’t run on boot since there is no way of getting a tick in that box (that I can find).
I am also guessing that this is analagous to WinXP’s ’services’?
Not sure if relavent, but the run mode is ‘Multi-user Mode(2)’.
I have rebooted the VM a few times, but I cannot seem to get the VMWare Tools to run automatically, nor will it start when when I click on ‘Start’ in the services app.
Any ideas on what I should try?
Thanks,
Alan.
Thanks for the great how-to and to the others that contributed…it certainly helped me.
Took me a minute but I figured it out and thought it may help other n00bs;
when you copy from /cdrom and you get errors make sure to unmount and run the vmware tools installation again (VM->Install Vmware tools).
Thanks a lot for this info. Worked a treat.
Hi,
I have problem with installing VMware tools on Ubuntu7.10 on vm5.5.0. First, it complained that /usr/src/linux/include did not exist, so I followed the advice above and linked it to linux-headers-`uname -r`. I also tried to run 2 commands:
sudo make oldconfig
sudo make prepare
the first went through fine, while the second failed quickly with the following error:
make[1]: *** No rule to make target `arch/i386/kernel/asm-offsets.c’, needed by `arch/i386/kernel/asm-offsets.s’. Stop.
I ran sudo ./vmware-install.pl again, and this time I got the following error message, which I don’t know how to fix:
The directory of kernel headers (verstion @@VMWARE@@ UTS_RELEASE) does not match your running kernel (version 2.6.22-14-generic). Even if the module were to compile successfully, it would not load into the running kernel.
Any advice?
Im having the same problem….
It works! Very good! Tank you!
To FIX:
The directory of kernel headers (verstion @@VMWARE@@ UTS_RELEASE) does not match your running kernel (version 2.6.22-14-generic). Even if the module were to compile successfully, it would not load into the running kernel
Copy the line (or similar):
#define UTS_RELEASE “2.6.18-3-amd64″
from
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.18-3-amd64/include/linux/utsrelease.h /usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.18-3-amd64/include/linux/version.h
The vmmon module will then compile successfully.
This tutorial was extremely helpful and has worked for me in nine out of ten Linux distributions I’ve tried under VMware Workstation! Thanks HTG for providing us with consistently high quality information!
I need help please i want to install vmware >>i use Ubuntu 6.06on vmware 1.04
and ihave also volum control problem
please any help
works on gutsy like a charm….thx!
I’ve done almost everything to get the package installed, but still is sending me an error when it ask for a c compiler. i’ve tried to find almost anything and i can’t find a c compiler for kubuntu 6.06 amd64.
it ask for the following:
“what i sthe location of the directory of c header files that match your running kernel? [/usr/src/linux/include]
i even installed the kernell headers, and they are located under:
/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.15-29-amd64-k8
and it still send the error. i’m just lost. any help will be greatly appreciated.
this works great with the new Ubuntu 8.04 and VMware 6.0.2!
Hi! I’m having just a littlel problem:
it’s asking me this
In which directory do you want to install the binary files?
[/usr/bin]
I don’t know what to write
any help?
@Joan
You can typically just hit the enter key and accept all the defaults.
Hi! Geek and Thanks!! a lot, I did not realize it was so simple, but now I have another problem
I got the full screen working, but how about the Unity and the Drag and Drop, the’re not working, there’s any advise on that, Thanks!!!
Thanks man i’m new Linux World….ur solution worked
,, i’ve added ur site to my fav… will b visiting alot 
Tanks for this tip / step!
its work perfect with 7.10 kubuntu-server /updated….. host windows / client linux
enjoy!
VMWare Workstation: 6.0.4 build 93057
Host OS: Windows XP Pro SP3
Guest OS: Ubuntu 7.10 32-Bit
Works perfect.
Thanks a lot for these easy instructions. Works like a charm.
Hey,
I am using VM 6.0.4 and Ubuntu 8.04 and am trying to install the VMware tools…
I go to VM, install VMware tools and then I see a CD on my desktop. When I open the CD I see two files… a RPM file and a Tar archive file.
However when I try to run the RPM file I get the following message
“couldn’t display “/media/cdrom0/ VNwareTools-6.0.4-93057.i386.rpm”
do you have any idea what that means?
When i use the command
“cp /cdrom/*.gz /tmp/
cd /tmp
tar xvzf VM*.gz
cd vmware*
sudo ./vmware-install.pl”
It goes through the commands , and at the end it asks for permission to install more files. (Y/n) i type Y and it aborts anyway? Im kinda new to the world of linux. Any ideas?
I just tried this on VMware ESXi 3.5 Update 2, worked great. after the VMWare Tools install .. using the vmware-install.pl script, rebooted and had a whole list of screen resolutions to play with
Alan
Untar the TAR archive file using tar xzvf … into /tmp and you should see a vmware-install.pl in the extracted folder .. run that .. and accept all defaults.
Josh … Accept defaults for the all questions .. should work.
When I run ./vmware-install.pl it stops with message:
The kernel defined by this directory of header files does not have the same address space size as your running kernel.
How to fix it?
thanx it is very very helpful
scoured the net for this till 3 in the morning, found this tut, done within 20 min amazing thank you very much
Just used it to install VMware tools for Ubuntu 8.10 (downloaded the VM already) worked perfectly.
Thanks
Thank you, buddy. It was such a great tutorial.
Thanks a 3llion mate!
fantastic tutorial, ubunto 9.04 on vmware 6 and it worked perfect!
love you!
Yep, Works great with 9.04 and WMware Workstation 6.5
this was help me a lot
http://bit.ly/b2NXM
Works when installing VMware Tools 4.0.
I have several new Ubuntu VM’s on vSphere 4.0.
Cheers,
-b