I have an app embedded with a stripped down Linux VM that I'd like to deploy without having to install VMware Player on the target desktops.

The app VM works fine with VMware Server 2 and Player 2.5.1 on Windows XP Pro.

In my inexperience of VMware products, packaging both VMware Player and the VM with ThinApp seemed a reasonable approach. Please let me know of any alternatives.

Fresh install of XP Pro on bare metal (can't install Player in VM guest), install VMware ThinApp 4.0.1-2866 and start capture; X to kill when done; copy VM image files into "All Users" folder; install VMwarePlayer 2.5.1; reboot; start VMware Player; open/test VM image; close VMware Player; continue VMware ThinApp capture and build for USB stick.

Copy the Capture directory onto USB stick and place in Windows XP system that has never had VMware products installed on it. Execute the .exe and VM Player starts and allows me to select my VM but then VMware Player pops up the message:

Error while powering on: The VMware Authorization Service is not running.

Is what I'm trying to do possible, and if so any tips on what I'm doing wrong ?

Thanks.