Windows 10: VMWare on Host Linux fails on some newer kernels -- work around

Hi folks
I know some here run Host Linux systems and run Windows VM's using VMWare.

On some distros with kernel 5.7.9 vmware won't install properly --this is because on some distros the kernel headers are back level to the 5.7.7 kernel.

However upgrading to the development version of kernel 5.7.10 with the correct headers allows successful installation of VMWare wks 15.5.6 (and / or VMWare player if you use that)

On Fedora 32 for example simply run this command sudo dnf upgrade --enablerepo=updates-testing --advisory=FEDORA-2020-c0746c5cb5 and reboot the host -- install VMware again and everything works perfectly now - no problem in starting up any of your Windows (or other) VM's again. BTW those that use KVM/QEMU should note that there is no problem in running VM's on VMWare and KVM/QEMU concurrently.






Cheers
jimbo

:)

 

VMWare on Host Linux fails on some newer kernels -- work around

Hi folks
I know some here run Host Linux systems and run Windows VM's using VMWare.

On some distros with kernel 5.7.9 vmware won't install properly --this is because on some distros the kernel headers are back level to the 5.7.7 kernel.

However upgrading to the development version of kernel 5.7.10 with the correct headers allows successful installation of VMWare wks 15.5.6 (and / or VMWare player if you use that)

On Fedora 32 for example simply run this command sudo dnf upgrade --enablerepo=updates-testing --advisory=FEDORA-2020-c0746c5cb5 and reboot the host -- install VMware again and everything works perfectly now - no problem in starting up any of your Windows (or other) VM's again. BTW those that use KVM/QEMU should note that there is no problem in running VM's on VMWare and KVM/QEMU concurrently.






Cheers
jimbo

 

VMWare on Linux Host with 5.x kernels

Hi folks
If you are using a Linux Host with 5,x kernels e.g Fedora 30 etc

You need to apply a patch to get VMWare to work properly

From your Linux Host run :

wget https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-h...-15.1.0.tar.gz
tar -xzf workstation-15.1.0.tar.gz
cd vmware-host-modules-workstation-15.1.0
make
make install

Now re-boot not even needed --just start VMWARE again and it should all work fine (you of course need to have kernel headers with the ability to compile and make (standard dev tools).

Here's image with kernel 5.2.5-200





Cheers
jimbo

 

Linux Hosts with 5.3 kernels and VMware 15.5 release

Hi folks

I know a few here use Linux Hosts with VMWare and run Windows VM's
Some distros have a problem with the latest VMware build - not compiling etc.

Arch Linux 5.3 kernel with the VMWare build works perfectly (as do Windows VM's running on it) -- I've several Windows insider builds working perfectly as VM's on this host.

For those who are possibly phased by the "Geekish" nature of Arch Linux there's a great graphical installer which will guide even the basic novice user on installation while still keeping the nature of "Arch" -- just select what you want without bloat etc. Choose a GUI as you need to have a GUI if you want to run VMWare (workstation or Player) the common ones are all there-- the whole process is really simple.

For those interested here's the link :

Zen Installer download | SourceForge.net

Insure also you install the kernel headers (pacman -S linux-headers) and then from the AUR simply type yay vmware-workstation (or player if you only use the free one). (yay is the AUR helper for Arch Linux)

It does all the compilation stuff, adds the relevant kernel modules and then you can simply without even a re-boot add your Windows VM and power it on.

I like the dark theme but choose any you like

Here's VMWare workstation 15.5 on the latest kernel 5.3 on "Arch". I'm using KDE-plasma with Breeze dark as the option on the GUI.





added : To Ms - if only your update and software installation was as simple !!!!!

Well "If Pigs had wings" -- I do though realize that the sheer variety of hardware etc that Windows is used on creates a whole different set of problems -- as a general Linux user I have nothing but admiration for Windows in that most of it works straight OOB. - Windows networking though IMO is still an abomination !!!!

With the sheer variety of hardware that is no mean feat even if my daily use of Windows tends to be somewhat limited --I am not a "Windows Hater" by any manner at all. !!

Cheers
jimbo