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benvkmFlag for Belgium

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Help Needed: How to install Vmware Workstation 5.5.1 under Windows Vista Beta 2

Hi, I'm trying to install Vmware Workstation 5.5.1 under Windows Vista Beta 2.  The installation starts, but somwhere in the middle of the installation I get a message telling me that the installation was interupted, and it rolls back automatically.  I've found quite a few tutuorials on the net dealing with how to install Windows Vista using Vmware, but none on how to install VmWare Workstation UNDER Windows Vista.  The reason I want to do this is because I want to use Windows Vista as my main operating system and use windows xp as a virutal machine under vista.    Have you got any tips / solutions on how to install VmWare Workstation under vista or does sombody know if there is a virtual os hosting software solution that runs under vista?  Many thanks, Ben.
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engineer_dell

Hello Ben,

Try this,

1  Insert the Windows Vista CD in the CD-ROM drive.

2  Power on the virtual machine to start installing Windows Vista.

3  If using a blank hard disk: When the Windows Vista installer menu appears, choose the first option, Install Now.

If installing over an existing guest operating system: Skip to step 9.
4  Press Shift-F10 to open a command prompt.

5  Start the disk partitioning utility.

diskpart
6  Enter the following commands to partition the hard disk:

select disk 0
create partition primary
7  When the partitioning process is complete, click the Reset button to reboot the virtual machine.

8  As the virtual machine begins to reboot, while the VMware logo appears on the screen, click inside the virtual machine window, and then press Esc to get to the BIOS boot menu. Choose CD-ROM Drive as the boot device, and then continue installing Windows Vista beta.

9  In certain Windows Vista builds, the installer chooses an incorrect default in the screen titled Choose your installation destination. It shows a partition with 0 MB free and makes that partition the default destination.

At that screen, you must change the choice to the disk (instead of the partition), and then click Continue.
10  Follow the remaining installation steps as you would for a physical machine.

http://pubs.vmware.com/guestnotes/wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/wwhelp.htm?context=guestos&file=guestos_winvista.html

Regards,

Engineer_Dell
Avatar of benvkm

ASKER

Hi,

Thanks for you reply.  I most likely did not explain it very well in my question.  But what I want to do is not install windows vista as a virutal machine in windows xp, but Install i.e. windows xp as a virutal machine under windows vista.  I want to use Windows Vista Beta 2 as my main operating system (host), and use i.e. Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 as guests (virtual machines).   Does you have have any eperience with this?

Thanks,

Ben
I think i know what your problem is
you have a problem in installing VMWare itself !!

Windows Vista uses a new method to install drivers. As a result, warning messages appear at several stages during installation of VMware Tools in Windows Vista operating system. Sometimes these messages are hidden. The driver installation appears to hang. However, if you press Alt-Tab, you can bring the warning message to the foreground. There are two types of messages.
 -- A message that says the driver is not Authenticode signed. When you see one of these messages, click Install Now to continue installing VMware Tools.
      
--  A message that says the driver package is not compatible with Windows Vista. When you see one of these messages, click Cancel to continue installing VMware Tools.

You might also see a message asking you to restart before the VMware Tools installer has finished. Do not restart the guest operating system at that time. Wait until the Installation Wizard Completed screen appears, click Finish, and then restart the guest operating system when you are prompted to do so.

Try the above technique..
Get back to me if it doesn't work
Avatar of benvkm

ASKER

Hi,

Thanks, Indeed you know what my problem is ;o)  I tried pressing Alt-tab during the installation, but no luck.  I first closed all the open windows so that nothing could interfere, but no luck either.  I've recieved this error message that vmware workstation could not be installed, because the Installation Fails with Wizard Interrupted Message.  I looked it up in the VMware knowledege base and found that they have an article: Answer 2038, describing the problem (but not under windows vista).   http://www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=pMN*yAai&p_lva=&p_faqid=2038&p_created=1138327712&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjM0JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9NyZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMT0zNyZwX3NvcnRfYnk9ZmFxcy5mYXFfaWQ6RCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=
I did a search for the 'msxmlx.inf' file and the vmmsi.log files on my harddisk but could not find anything.

I also tried right clicking on the install file and chose to run the vmware install file as an aministrator.  But no luck either.

Do you think it coud be related to this Beta 2 and the x64 version?

Thanks,

bEN
Ok.. I have a suggestion.. Try it out

Go to
http://www.vmware.com/download/ws/drivers_tools.html

Download "Processor Check for 64-Bit Compatibility"
and check whether your CPU is supported for virtual machines with 64-bit guest operating systems.
If it gives positive results then we can proceed further.

By the way.. msxmlx.inf file will be found in the following locations
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\dasetup
C:\Windows\inf

Avatar of benvkm

ASKER

Hi,  

Thanks for all the hard work.   I downloaded the tool, and I receive the message that the host is capable of running a 64-bit guest operating system under this VmWare product.  So I guess that's ok.

I could not find the msxmlx.inf file in the locations you pointed out. ?  

Really annoying this is....  Really hope I don't have to install the 32bit Vista beta 2 on my x64 bit computer....

Thanks,

bEN

SOLUTION
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Flashjohny

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Well.. I guess you will have to install the 32-bit version.. for VMWare to work
Avatar of benvkm

ASKER

I haven't given up yet... sigh...  Although after reading the comments on the vmware website noam_dz pointed to, I don't have a very good feeling about this.
I did install the XML Parser, but no luck...    I give it 2 more days and if not...  I'll have to install the 32-bit version.   bEN.  I have splitted the answers because I think FlashJohnny did help out quite a lot and Naom found the info on the vmware website.   Thanks for all the effort!  Hope Vmware releases a patch / new version soon...