VMWare Player Install on Slackware 12.0
 

How much trouble is it to put VMware onto Slackware 12 ? And do I need a video card better than my ATI 9600, perhaps I'm confusing VMware with Beryl. But if I thought it would work without too much fuse I'd install it in no time. The impression I get from VMware is that it's an easy 28 step process, something I'm not too interested in spending the week trying to do. Could you elaborate on what's involved?

Thanks

- perry

ps.
I've been dual booting Slackware and Windows for quite some time using System Commander until that finally gave out on me and now I'm totally committed to getting things done with LILO. GRUB is ok, but Lilo seems to be much easier to deal with.

Perry - I have moved your post to it's own thread in Slackware as it was a problem on it's own and seperate from the rest of the discussion.

Actually, it's not too much trouble at all, just carefully follow these steps:

Step 1:
Get VMware-server-1.0.3-44356.tar.gz (*) from the official VMware site to the directory of your choice. Do get the .tar.gz file, not the RPM package. (didn't work for me)
* Note: there might be a newer version available, but the instructions should work the same way

Step 2:
Download "vmware-any-any-update113.tar.gz" if you have Slackware-stable,
or "vmware-any-any-update114.tar.gz" if you use Slackware-current, to the directory of your choice (same as above).
The 114 version might work on -stable as well, it just wasn't available at the time.
Do a Google search for the filename and you'll see some locations where it is available.

Step 3:
(This step is in my notes, but I am not sure if it is really necessary...)
Make the directory /etc/pam.d:
Step 4:
First step of installation of VMware server.
From the directory where you downloaded the .tar.gz files:
(run install script, but when asked, do not run vmware-config.pl)

Step 5:
Now we'll install the any-any patch for our kernel:
(install patch, run config script, now answer "yes" to run vmware-config.pl)

Step 6:
Here we'll do some automatic compiling...
Just hit enter to all questions...

Step 7:
Use your favorite text-editor to add this to /etc/rc.d/rc.local to start at boot:
Step 8:
Reboot...

Ready!

Just a last tip:
I had problems saving my virtual machines on non-Linux partitions, like NTFS (with NTFS-3G) or vfat.
I tried this originally to share my virtual machines between Windows VMware and Linux VMware, bu had no success.
On my ext3 partitions everything worked fine.

Hope this works for everybody like it worked for me!

that is an incredible documented install. i use the any-any but my notes are not nearly as pretty.

kudos neils :)

The OP was refering to VMware Player I believe. Which is the stand alone package that runs images. It's been almost 2 years I think since I touched VMware anything. The Server needs PAM and Workstation shouldn't.

Historically, there was a problem with vmware-config.pl because it contained lines that only looked for SysVinit directories which earlier Slackware versions didn't have setup. This _shouldn't_ be a problem anymore with Slack 12. So the rc.local addition really shouldn't be necessary anymore. In fact, the install process for Workstation or Server should be the same as it is on any distro now.

Again, haven't tried lately. I used to ammend vmware-config.pl to work with the /etc/rc.d directory straight up. I still don't like using init.d directories on Slack for some reason.

I am currently running vmware server 1.04 on slackware 12 - desktop opti gx620 and laptop insp 5160 -
have xp virtual plus a couple of different linux distros, running just fine.

I tried the same the thing a while back. The reason it does not work is because you cannot set proper permissions for NTFS or VFAT partitions. I have a theory that you can trick the virtual machine into running by having all the config files (including the files reserved for memory, etc) on linux including a symlink to the actual hard drive file on your windows based partition. I haven't tested this out yet, though. I decided Windows doesn't need anymore services and that Linux is what I'll be using 99% of the time anyways.

At any rate, I remember doing similar things to the instructions above for setting up VMware in Slackware 12. I also remember that I DID have to create the /etc/pam.d directory because the setup failed otherwise. When it fails because it can't find the directory it tells you why it failed, so there isn't really any mystery to this. Do note, however, that you can install VMware server without PAM. You can create and use virtual machines, but I don't think you can properly serve them if others want to use them remotely.

And NO, you don't need a good video card to run VMware server. I'm running VMware server 1.0.3 build-44356 (I haven't felt like upgrading to the very newest just yet) on Slack 12 with a humble old SiS 65x VGA Adapter and a 2GHz Celeron. Direct Rendering isn't even supported for my card, but virtual machines run just fine. As long as you have somewhat of a modern CPU and at least 512MB RAM you should be fine (though I'd recommend twice as much memory more ideal in case you don't want to start swapping like crazy).

Well, actually Perry asked how to install "VMware" in another thread, but it was split into a separate one for being a different question.

VMware-player only "runs" virtual machines created on other computers.
VMware-server is a free product you can use to create, run and share virtual machines on your network.
VMware-desktop is a commercial product (not free).

VMware-server has developed into a very nice product over the years. If you haven't seen it for some time, do take a look a the newer versions.

I use it for running Windows apps without dual-booting (I can access the data on my Linux partitions over the 'virtual network') and testing on Slackware.
I have a VM with a clean install of Slackware that I can copy, test software, compile things, etc. When something goes wrong, I fall back to the clean install in a few steps.

neils:

thanks for getting back to me. i tried installing the player as per the instructions and ended up getting this message:

i've tried a couple of configurations and now according to you, i am probable going to be needing vmware-desktop in order to do what i want to do. so i don't know what to think. but i really do appreciate your trying to help me out. all i wanted to do is play a few windows games on my linux box without having to dual boot into windows, but it's ok. if the player alone can't do this then it's just as well.

appreciate your help though

- perry

Perry - what happens when you run the command as per the error message? I recall that the last time I installed to Slack I had to run the same message and once done it was configured and installed.

Perry,
Which kernel are you using and which version of Slackware?

Did you run the 'runme.pl' script from vmware-any-any-update?
This should start the vmware-config.pl automatically.

If in doubt, go back to step 5 and try again.

You don't need the VMware-desktop product. VMware server can do everything you need, including creating and running virtual machines.

Feel free to contact me or ask more questions here!

Niels

May I ask how you setup your virtual network?
I had XP running in a virtual machine in Slackware 12, but I couldn't figure out how to move files from the XP virtual machine to the Linux host. Samba is installed.
Thanks.

I don't use Samba shares so I just transfer files between my virtual machine and the host by using an sftp server on the virtual machine (yes, you can get one for windows- try openssh). gftp is a nice frontend that comes with Slackware.

here's what i get:

maybe i'm just not starting it right...

like i don't really know what to do to from here and there is no icon on my desktop

any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks

- perry
ps.
you'll notice i said no to any nat configurations, i've tried both setups, nothing seems to work

It looks like to me that everything is set up just fine. To use it you need to run
(it should be in your PATH so 'vmware' would suffice)

If it ever complains that the service isn't started just run (as root)
'restart' and 'stop' are also useful options

From there connect to the localhost server and add your virtual machines or create new ones. Normally you would want to run this as your normal user. However, some host related options can only be set in the GUI if you run it as root. Just don't run it as root unless you need to.

No, it doesn't install an icon to your desktop, but there should be one in your KDE menu. The actual 'shortcut' is in /usrs/share/applications
Just run vmware - it takes less time to type it in a run box or command line than to find it on a menu.

Oh, and it looks like you didn't enter a serial number. They are free to obtain when you register. Go to http://register.vmware.com/content/registration.html
to register for serial numbers. There is an option in the GUI to enter it.

There are plenty of manuals on VMware's site if you have any trouble administering things in the GUI. Also, remember you can always

holy toledo - it worked!
 

only i haven't the first clue how to use the thing. it didn't ask about where my win2k folder was located, seems to want to install it's own from scratch... is this the case ?

i can do that, but boy that's bit of a long shot cause now i'll have to spend the week installing the thing (that plus all the drivers and everything else)

is this how it works ?

thanks

- perry

ps.
oh man... it can even read iso images...!!!!!

The easiest way is to set up a new virtual machine, but to use the virtual hard drive you had previously created (you will get the option in the create new virtual machine dialog). That way you won't have to reinstall a virtual OS; You just have to tell VMware how much memory you want to give it, etc.

Also, after that is done and when the OS is booted, install the VMware tools (use the option in the GUI). This will make your display driver better and it will also give you more control of your virtual hardware.

Again, if you have any more problems with basic configuration or usage issues, I highly recommend you download (pdfs) the documentation from VMware's site from http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/server_pubs.html

thanks for your help.

for future reference, if you manage to hit the full screen button by mistake, you'll have to rename the .vmware directory and restart vmware. nothing else gets it's attention

- perry

well, it seems to be working, i'm like a kid a christmas
 

right now it's installing windows 2k right from scratch and i must say i am a little mesmerized, when it works, it's awesome

the idea that i might soon be able to play all my graphically intensive games from one little window inside my Slackware 12.0 Linux box is like icing on the cake.

guess i won't be needing wine any longer... or that win2k partition...

then again, i might just keep it around for posterity

yeah guys are KaRaZi!

http://cplusplus.org/shotsfired/

- perry

Doesn't connect to the Internet?
 

Seems to me that this is something that should work! Should I re-run the vmware setup and do the defaults thing on network settings? Perhaps setup some sort of NAT configuration?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

- Perry

CC [M] /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/netif.

I have not had this problem. Full screen and quick switch modes work great for me. Maybe your X server doesn't like the resolution or something. Did you install the VMware tools yet? That might help.

don't bank on that as you will have quite a performance hit running the virtual machine. If possible, running your windows games through wine would be much more efficient (sometimes even better than windows). If you have a really fast machine and lots of memory the games should be fine as long as they aren't *too* demanding.


As a side note, if you want to really want to hack around with VMware you can even use a physical partition for your virtual machine. Thus, you could run your existing REAL Windows 2k on your VMware server. You have to do a lot of hacking around to change drivers and such as the virtual machine has different hardware than your real machine. In addition, the user running VMware has to have permissions for the whole disk the partition resides on, so this is really only useful if your Windows partition is on its own disk. You wouldn't want your regular user to have full rights to everything on Linux...

As far as the whole networking issue...

Bridged networking:
means that you are setting up the virtual machine to access the internet with its own IP address. This won't work if you can't get more than one IP for yourself.

NAT:
your host machine acts as a router and gives your virtual machine and IP. If you don't have a router already on your network you will more than likely need to use this as most ISPs won't give your more than one IP by default.

Host Only:
Use this if you don't want your virtual machine to connect to the internet. It would only have access to your host. This may be all you need if you aren't playing any games that need internet. Use windows networking or sftp to share files between the host and virtual machine.

hope this helps

thanks so much

re-ran for runme.pl and went with defaults, left me with three connection types, the third one (NAT based I think) worked

tried to run two games, they installed fine (blitzkrieg and battlefield) but neither can seem to start (for shame)

vmware is very interesting, i managed to get it to access one of my external usb drives which it does. however linux can no longer seem to get at it at the same time

will tinker with it a little bit more but as it stands now, if it can't play a game for me, there's not much point. perhaps if i ask it to install the ati drivers, what would it do i wonder...

worth checking out

thanks (very much) again

- perry

Don't need to wonder too much as the virtual hardware is NOT the same as your real hardware

Don't forget this. Look at the Windows 2k hardware manager on your virtual machine to see what it has.

Here's an alternative to VMware - Virtual Box. I have never tried it but it may be interesting to check out if you like this stuff.

If your are really interested in getting Windows Games to work on Linux you might want to contact the developers. Ask them to work with the WINE project or make a direct port. Also, there is a commercial WINE-fork devoted to getting Windows games to work. If you don't mind spending a little money that might be something to look into. It's called Cedega.

have fun!

Edit: http://www.cedega.com/cedegainfo/ might be a better link for Cedega.

thanks again
 

i spent the better part of yesterday checking out vmware and it was really impressive, didn't do everything i wanted it to but it did really good. if only i had the patience to tweak a couple of nuances with going into full screen mode or tracking the mouse i'd make use of it for games that will run on it. i actually got Commandos to work and i think games of that nature will work on it provided it can track the mouse properly.

also, it has a tendancy to distrupt my linux setup. i tried getting it to detect usb devices only for it to take over the extrenal drive all together and not give it back. stuff like that kind slows things up a bit, but it's ok. one thing i did notice is that it installs way much faster as a virtual machine as opposed when you install it natively. cdrom access is very fast and it is probably due to the way linux is doing things.

http://cplusplus.org/shotsfired/Screenshot-8.png

so it was fun checking it out. thanks again for you help, it was greatly appreciated

- perry