I hope this isn't an RTFM question, but I cannot seem to figure it out for myself. I'm using VMware Player on various host platforms, but mostly Debian 5 & Debian 6. For various reasons, I want to install other Linux OS's as guests and mainly, I find that easiest to do using ISO images as the installation media. My problem is that VMware seems to disallow me from controlling anything about how I install the guest OS. Generally, I want only the scantest possible OS, along with a software development toolchain, binutils, etc. Is there something I can do to override VMware, and moderate the installation process?

--- rod.

I'm having the same issue. Please someone?

You probably will need VMWare Workstation. Player is a very limited version of Workstation.

VMplayer is for all uses a real computer.

I use it all the time.

VMplayer can not dis-allow your installation method just as a real computer can not dis-allow your installation choices.

Maybe re-phrase the issue in case I misunderstand.

Okay, when I boot from a CD/DVD that contains an Linux distro installer, I get led through a series of questions about partitions, packages to install, timezones, etc. In VMware Player, it 'knows' what the distro is (assuming all major distros, I guess). It then seems to subvert my input until the installation is complete, querying me only for a username and password. It gets to decide on what packages to install, and this is my primary gripe. I don't want most of the stuff it installs; I don't even want a GUI.
Is there some magic moment what I have to press a certain key or did I miss a checkbox or other selection to grant me the power of choice?

--- rod.

The VMware Player recognizes the distro, and enters 'Easy Install' mode and thereafter, I cannot seem to influence anything about the installation, nor can I get out of 'Easy Install' mode (at least I haven't figured out how). I want to create a non-GUI install, for use a a cross-development platform which will only ever be used to build kernels, drivers, and applications targeted to the guest OS, but running on other hosts. X, the desktop(s) and all of the GUI applications are useless, take up a non-trivial amounts of disk, and take time to install.

Anyone know what I mean, and how to deal with it?

Thanks.

--- rod.

It could not be easier... Start with Create A New Virtual Machine. At the opening screen choose: Go through the steps to set the hard drive size etc. When you get to the Ready to Create Virtual Machine screen select Customize Hardware... Point the New CD/DVD (IDE) device to the installation iso file. The virtual machine will boot and begin the installation from the image. That will allow the installation to proceed just as it would on a physical machine. You can make the same selections as you normally would during a physical install (subject to the limitations of the distro's installer).

Ken

1 members found this post helpful.

Thank you. That seems to have worked. I'm in a text-mode installation now.
--- rod.

Glad to help - Ken