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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


                        
                    
The Geek is the founder of How-To Geek and a geek enthusiast. When he's not coming up with great how-to articles, he's probably writing at his personal blog. This article was written on 10/19/06 and tagged with: Ubuntu, Adding Software, VMware

Comments (30)

  1. Chxta

    I installed XP within Ubuntu using VMware, (http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m32/Chxta/screenshot.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?

  2. childers

    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?

  3. The Geek

    childers,

    I'm using vmware 5.5.2… you may want to upgrade a version.

  4. childers

    Upgrading to 5.5.2 version of VMWare did the trick! Thanks!

  5. Thepumpkin1979

    Yes, upgrading to 5.5.3 version of VMWare fix my issue.

    Thank you.

  6. Florian Hackenberger

    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

  7. Ash

    Worked fine with Xbuntu 6.1 and VMWare 5.5.3 within WinXPPro.

    Thanks.

  8. Jay

    Actually alien is easier IMO.

    Worked perfectly for me.

  9. mashi

    It worked on Ubuntu Edgy Eft under VMware Workstation 6 beta (build -39849)

  10. sic

    Thanks =) works no problem.

  11. Joe

    Thanks! it works on ubuntu 7.04, VMware Fusion 1.0b3 (43733)!

  12. Nathan

    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

  13. Cisco

    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…

  14. Cisco

    I did it by the book, there seems to be some issue with the header files when it 'makes' the driver

  15. Nathan

    Did the 'crazy' approach work?

  16. martins

    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)

  17. ok, put /usr/bin/vmware-toolbox in the list of programs to run automatically

    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

  18. ok, put /usr/bin/vmware-toolbox in the list of programs to run automatically

    systems->preferences->sessions

    here is the feisty startup

  19. Alan

    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.

  20. Hoopes

    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).

  21. Joerg

    Thanks a lot for this info. Worked a treat.

  22. jano73

    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?

  23. Renan

    Im having the same problem….

  24. Moises Andre

    It works! Very good! Tank you!

  25. kax

    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.

  26. Edward Harkey

    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!

  27. mido elhelow

    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

  28. krum74

    works on gutsy like a charm….thx!

  29. Ralf

    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.

  30. Addam

    this works great with the new Ubuntu 8.04 and VMware 6.0.2!


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