VMware 5.5 and VMware 6.0 on same machine

[JasonWong]

Have anybody installed VMware 5.5 and VMware 6.0 on the same machine and got it running ?

I have a script that install and populate a informix database and that fails in VMWare 6 but works fine in VMWare 5.5 . I would prefer to use VMWare 6 for everything else. Any thoughts and suggestions ? I have been able to get it working before in 6 but have forgotten the vmx parameters I used and it just seems too much effort to try again.

[continuum · Accepted solution]

Hi Jason

looks like I missed an interesting post

I just tested features of Install-less mode for Workstation 6.5.2 again - to fresh up memory

It allows to create and manage offline -snapshots.

It allows to create VMs

It allows to change versions of existing VMs.

All you need to do is install WS 6.5.2 somewhere - must be a machine or VM that does NOT run VMserver 1.

Then copy the directory of the installation - typically that is C:\programs\vmware\vmware workstation - into an archive lets say ws652.zip.

Next extract that archive on your VMserver-host to lets say C:\ws652-install-less.

To launch this version you must then run a batch like this:

%systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /s vmdbCOM.dll %systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /s vmappsdk.dll %systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /s vmappcfg.dll

To clean up after use you can run this

%systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /u vmdbCOM.dll %systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /u vmappsdk.dll %systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /u vmappcfg.dll

When ever I do this I usually run the "un-install-batch" after use.

I would suggest that you do the same.

I guess we do not need to discuss that this stuff needs an admin that is not to sleepy

Personally I haven't had any issues so far with contradicting dlls - maybe because I always clean up again after use.

You can do this for several Workstation versions.

Maybe prepare one directory for WS 5.5.9 and one for WS 6.5.2

If you want call me via skype if you have issues

Ulli

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VMX-parameters- VMware-liveCD - VM-Sickbay

[kingneutron]

No, it wasn't that interesting - he was just trying to be snarky. And I was going by his original post - just trying to help.

Buh-bye

./. If you have appreciated my response, please remember to apply Helpful/Correct points. TIA

[JasonWong]

Once upon a time, there was a young boy scout . He was a very nice and helpful boy, at least he think so. One day, he saw a blind man standing by the side of the road at a crossing. Being the helpful boy scout that he was, he grab the man's hand and avoding the incoming vehicles, pull him across the busy street, to the other side of the road. When he finally reached the other side of the street, the blind man said "Boy, I was where I WANTED to be until you lead me here...."

[JasonWong]

Ulli,

Thanks. I'll test that out and let you know how it goes.

Jason

[JasonWong]

Ulli,

Just wondering, would I be able to Thinapp the Workstation 6.5 ? I recall you mentioned that there is driver problem. If it's not the 3 drivers below (Step 2), it might actually work.

I don't have a clean machine to try at the moment, but would the following not work ?

1. Install Workstation 6.5 on clean machine.

2. Copy files on new machine and run the following batch as you suggest :

%systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /s vmdbCOM.dll

%systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /s vmappsdk.dll

%systemroot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /s vmappcfg.dll

3. Capture step 2 using Thinapp and create the package.

[continuum]

Jason - I guess that will work. I have seen a Thinapp-package for WS 6.0.2 - it had similar features then you get when doing the simple dll-registration from the batch I posted.

yep - please try your plan and report results

Ulli

you sure want to reduce size of the package ...

remove the pkg-directory

remove all isos

remove vmware-vmx-debug.exe

remove vmware-vmx-stats.exe

remove all contents of help-dir other than index.html

remove the japanes directories in the message -dir

remove all files starting with tp.

remove resources-dir

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VMX-parameters- VMware-liveCD - VM-Sickbay

[JasonWong]

The loading and unloading seems to make the system unstable and required a reboot.

1. VMWare Server runs fine.

2. Stop VMWare Server

3. Runs VMWare workstation after loading the 3 drivers. Runs fine.

4. Unload the 3 drivers.

5. Run guest in VMWare Server. Guest cannot access network.

I think MAYBE after unloading the 3 drivers for VMWare workstation, I need to "reload" the ones for VMWare Server... Anyway, that was fun and good learning, guess I'll close the book on this and move on to playing with VMWare Sphere.