While reading some other posts on this forum, I saw a request from some to post the last 30 lines of dmesg, so I looked at the output of dmesg after I ran the virtual machine and here's what I recieved:

[4314954.311000] /dev/vmnet: port on hub 0 successfully opened
[4314954.869000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4314954.873000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4314954.880000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4314954.884000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4315012.707000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4315012.716000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4315226.273000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4315323.306000] device eth1 left promiscuous mode
[4315323.306000] bridge-eth1: disabled promiscuous mode
[4315323.306000] /dev/vmnet: open called by PID 23003 (vmware-vmx)
[4315323.306000] device eth1 entered promiscuous mode
[4315323.306000] bridge-eth1: enabled promiscuous mode
[4315323.306000] /dev/vmnet: port on hub 0 successfully opened
[4315323.483000] /dev/vmmon[23003]: host clock rate change request 83 -> 19
[4315323.498000] device eth1 left promiscuous mode
[4315323.498000] bridge-eth1: disabled promiscuous mode
[4315323.649000] /dev/vmmon[22997]: host clock rate change request 19 -> 0
[4315323.693000] vmmon: Had to deallocate locked 58184 pages from vm driver c4c1e000
[4315323.708000] vmmon: Had to deallocate AWE 4009 pages from vm driver c4c1e000[4318079.703000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4318079.703000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4318079.767000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4318079.767000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4318652.423000] ipw2200: Firmware error detected. Restarting.
[4319369.714000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319369.714000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319369.809000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319369.809000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319369.910000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319369.910000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319369.985000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319369.985000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319370.301000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319370.301000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319370.365000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319370.365000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319370.497000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319370.497000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319370.551000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319370.551000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319370.662000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319370.662000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319370.737000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319370.737000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319371.013000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319371.013000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319371.077000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319371.077000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319371.188000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319371.188000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319371.995000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319371.995000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319372.199000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319372.199000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319372.273000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319372.273000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319372.375000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319372.375000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.129000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.129000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.302000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.302000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.376000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.376000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.498000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.498000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.552000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.552000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.653000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.653000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.717000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.717000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.818000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.818000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319373.902000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319373.902000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319374.024000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319374.024000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319374.088000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319374.088000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319404.827000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319404.827000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319404.871000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319404.871000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319405.474000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319405.474000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319405.580000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319405.580000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319406.347000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319406.347000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319406.442000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319406.442000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319406.811000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319406.811000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319407.534000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319407.534000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319407.821000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319407.821000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4319407.926000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4319407.926000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4320775.236000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4320775.236000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4320775.382000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4320775.382000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4320777.383000] atkbd.c: Unknown key released (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4320777.383000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4320777.457000] atkbd.c: Unknown key pressed (translated set 2, code 0xaa on isa0060/serio0).
[4320777.457000] atkbd.c: Use 'setkeycodes e02a <keycode>' to make it known.
[4321751.442000] /dev/vmnet: open called by PID 27170 (vmware-vmx)
[4321751.442000] device eth1 entered promiscuous mode
[4321751.442000] bridge-eth1: enabled promiscuous mode
[4321751.442000] /dev/vmnet: port on hub 0 successfully opened
[4321751.696000] /dev/vmmon[27176]: host clock rate change request 0 -> 19
[4321756.178000] /dev/vmmon[27176]: host clock rate change request 19 -> 83
[4321763.870000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4321763.883000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4321764.378000] device eth1 left promiscuous mode
[4321764.378000] bridge-eth1: disabled promiscuous mode
[4321764.378000] /dev/vmnet: open called by PID 27176 (vmware-vmx)
[4321764.378000] device eth1 entered promiscuous mode
[4321764.378000] bridge-eth1: enabled promiscuous mode
[4321764.378000] /dev/vmnet: port on hub 0 successfully opened
[4321765.007000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4321765.011000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4321765.018000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4321765.022000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4321794.349000] ipw2200: Firmware error detected. Restarting.
[4321813.313000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4321813.321000] Device sr0 not ready.
[4322122.572000] Device sr0 not ready.

I hope that helps someone.

I had not looked at that article, but I followed the link and did as it directed. Unfortunetly, it didn't help. Sorry.

Kevin.

Output of 'cpufreq-info' on host at idle:

enterprise ~ # cpufreq-info
cpufrequtils 0.3: cpufreq-info (C) Dominik Brodowski 2004
Report errors and bugs to linux@brodo.de, please.
analyzing CPU 0:
driver: centrino
CPUs which need to switch frequency at the same time: 0
hardware limits: 800 MHz - 2.00 GHz
available frequency steps: 2.00 GHz, 1.60 GHz, 1.33 GHz, 1.07 GHz, 800 MHz
available cpufreq governors: userspace, powersave, ondemand, conservative, performance
current policy: frequency should be within 800 MHz and 2.00 GHz.
The governor "userspace" may decide which speed to use
within this range.
current CPU frequency is 800 MHz (asserted by call to hardware).

I had not tried the cpufreq-set -g performance, but I have used the CPUFreq Monitor applet in Gnome to set the CPU to 2GHz while I was running the VM. I did try the command tonight and neither of the situations helped. I can't confirm this, but I think Ubuntu uses the "ondemand" governer by default. And I have seen the CPU bounce from 800MHz to 2GHZ and back (in various increments) on occasion - but mostly when I was running Linux Apps and not VMware.

Just as an asside: I have noticed that while I'm running th VM, that the clock on XP doesn't keep sync with the Linux clock. For example, that afternoon I ran the XP VM for more than 15 minutes (just let it idle) and the clock changed 1 time (ie it changed from 3:00 to 3:01) and then never moved again. Don't know if that helps or muddies the water, but it's what I'm seeing.

I do use the vmware-any-any update. And you are correct, Ubuntu uses "powernowd" by default for CPU frequency governing. I disabled that, set the performance governer (which put the CPU at 2GHz) and gave it a shot. No change.

Yet another example of how slow this setup is. When Windows XP boots, it has a fade-in effect going from black to a colored Windows XP flag in the middle and a green (or blue) progress bar going across the bottom. That fade in is not smooth. I see it in about 15 different chops. The progress bar is just as choppy.

All of this was as sooth as glass on my old laptop - which was Pentium M 1.4GHz with 512MB of RAM. Now I'm on a Pentium M 2GHz with 2GB of ram and I want the old machine back. Grrrr.

Just out of curiosity, could the fact that my hard drive is a SATA drive have anything to do with it?

OK, I've made an intresting discovery.

I installed Gentoo on the laptop over the weekend. On Monday morning, I was able to run VMware (using the same Windows XP VM that I created in Ubuntu) and everything was *very* useable. I took this to mean that something in the Gentoo kernel was the cure. But at the time, I couldn't investigate as I was backup up from not having a useable machine for nearly a week. So off to work I went.

Late last night, I wanted to watch a DVD, but the performance of the DVD drive sucked. Video was very choppy. So I did some googleing and found that the problem was the SATA DVD drive. You see, this laptop has a SATA controller that drives both the Hard Drive and DVD+RW. The reason that DVD playback was so horrible was that DMA on the drive was disabled - and couldn't be enabled. (That's what I get for buying a machine with bleeding edge hardware in it.)

But my googleing also pointed out a hack that would treat the DVD as a SCSI device and improve the perfomance. So off I went and implemented it. My DVD viewing was pleasurable the rest of the night.

Here's the hack:
in /usr/src/linux/include/linux/libata.h I changed this:

#unde ATA_ENABLE_ATAPI
#undef ATA_ENABLE_PATA

to this:

#define ATA_ENABLE_ATAPI 1
#define ATA_ENABLE_PATA 1

and then on my kernel line I added this switch:
hdc=noprobe

When I came into work this morning and discovered that VMware was as slow as a snail. I about fell on the floor. I couldn't believe that the DVD drive was the cuplrit all along.

I did a bit of checking and discovered that Ubuntu implements this kernel hack as part of ti's kernel patch set. So just to confirm that I had found the problem, I removed the hdc=noprobe statement from the kernel line and VMware performance was back to useable.

That kernel switch is trigger. With it in place VMware's speed sucks, but DVD performance is OK - the drive is recogonized as /dev/sr0. With it off, VMware runs great, but DVD playback stinks - the drive is recognized as /dev/hdc.

Somebody help me out here. Why does this make a difference?