VMware USB problem
 

Hey Guys

Running Centos 5.3 64bit as host and XP Pro sp2 as guest. My USB mouse works fine but any "advanced" devices (sticks/drives/printers/etc) do not. The devices are recognized by VMware but error out(after 30 ? seconds). The devices all work fine on the host or if I boot to XP(non VM).

On another note I tried to post over on VMware's communities but I keep getting a goofy redirect error. Apparently it is just not my day.

I've notice that you have to (1) make sure Linux doesn't grab the device first and (2) unplug and replug the device. Awkward, but works reliably for me. For example, I have a BT USB device. If I run rc.bluetooth then not only is the BT device not recognized but neither are all other USB devices (printers, cameras etc.) by Win XP in vmware. If I stop rc.bluetooth and unplug and replug then not only is the BT device recognized, so are the rest of the USB devices.

It'd be nice if I could execute something in software that would have the same effect as physically unplugging and replugging the hardware.

Hope that helps.

Are you running vmware server 1.X or 2.X? It seems to make a difference in this. I am running 2.01.

I have automount of all removable media shut off. BT is off (not even sure why I had it on before). Does not seem to help. Still getting "Remote USB device error:Remote device disconnected: an error occurred while sending data."

Hmm well then I can't help you . Sorry I'm still running version 1.0.9...Hopefully someone else here has an answer for you.

I am starting to think that downgrading to 1.09 might be a real good idea.

Thanks

Well, of course VirtualBox might be a good choice too, if you're thinking of switching, though again I've heard that the *very* latest version has a few problems...

I've used Vbox vers 2.14, only reason I stayed with vmware is that it's a little bit faster and the networking was easier to setup. I like the seamless mode though...