VMware uses up my cpu. When I run VMware and have windows running, my cpu is at 100%, making it difficult to run linux programs at the same time.

Is there a way to make VMware not use up so much CPU? I just need to use a program on windows for a few minutes at a time, not the whole time... (note the program doesn't work with wine or crossover office)

Also of note, it seems that even after shutting off VMware my cpu is still used 100%. Anyone know of some problem with FC3 and VMware?

VMware is a very intensive application. What type of hardware specs are you running this on?

I'm running, 2ghz P4, 256 MB ram, laptop.
fresh FC3 install, no updates yet.

More RAM would probably help out..

Try adding a hard drive in the modular bay and put the virtual disk image on it. A Pentium 4 mobile processor is much slower than desktop systems. I have used an AMD 700 MHz and ran VMware. I did not notice any speed decrease. Sometimes I forget that I'm running VMware will playing UT.

I suggest using XFS for the filesystem to store VMware's virtual disk file. EXT3 and ReiserFS has problems accessing big files.

Adding more RAM will definately help. I suggest 512 MB of RAM being the bare minimum for VMware.

You didn't say what version of Windows you are running under VMWare.

If you're running Windows 95, 98, ME then they all run at 100% CPU utilization unless you run a CPU idler program like cpuidle. Same for DOS and some other operating systems.

sorry, I am running WinXP home with VMware.

My /home/ is on ReiserFS so this may also have been causing troubles.

To use XFS, I should create a new partition, and format it as XFS? I'm not sure I saw XFS as an option when formatting... Do I download this file system somewhere?

Also, I'm a bit ignorant, how do I add a hard drive to the modular bay... is the modular bay the PCMCIA slot?

It is where CD-ROM or DVD drive. You just take it out (of course when the computer is off) and insert a hard drive. Not all notebooks have this feature. I have not yet own a notebook computer but I see it as a feature in several notebook brands and models. I do not suggest USB or Firewire if the modular bay can work.

Windows XP is a resource hog even in its native state. You can try Windows 2000. I use Windows 98 in VMware. I barely notice that VMware even running while I am doing other work. Again the only time that I notice VMware is running is when I use Unreal Tournament. I never run cpuidle.

You will have to format the partition to use XFS. Mandrake should have XFS because I have used it in passed systems.