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4 Replies Last post: Jun 12, 2007 1:59 AM by Ashwin Apte
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Vmware workstation 5.5.3 Build 34685 + HP USB Tape Drive = BSOD

Jun 8, 2007 3:53 AM

Click to view Ashwin Apte's profile Novice Ashwin Apte 11 posts since
Jan 10, 2007
Hi,

I am trying to connect a HP USB Tape drive to a W2K3 Guest on my vmware workstation. As per the Vmware PDF. I am safely removing the USB Tape drive from the Host OS before connecting it inside the Guest by selecting VM --> Removable Devices --> USB Device and then selecting the device.

After this it gets detected in the Guest OS, but when I restart the system a BSOD always comes up. Also I have Symantec Backup Exec installed on the guest OS which I want to use with this Tape drive but when I install the Symantec drivers and restart Backup Exec Services the BSOD pops up again.

Any ideas why this could be happening? Are USB tape drives supported with Vmware workstation? One of my friends is seeing the same issue on vmware server also.

Thanks in advance,
Ashwin
Reply Re: Vmware workstation 5.5.3 Build 34685 + HP USB Tape Drive = BSOD Jun 9, 2007 12:01 PM
Click to view Neben's profile Expert Neben 457 posts since
Jun 30, 2005 VMware
Is the HP USB Tape drive a USB 2.0 high speed device? If so, then this is a known issue with WS5x/Server1x. WS6 now fully supports USB 2.0 devices via a virtual EHCI controller.
Reply Re: Vmware workstation 5.5.3 Build 34685 + HP USB Tape Drive = BSOD Jun 10, 2007 9:15 PM
in response to: Neben
Click to view Ashwin Apte's profile Novice Ashwin Apte 11 posts since
Jan 10, 2007
Yep it is a USB 2.0 Device, although I am not sure why a USB 2.0 Hard disk works perfectly whereas the Tape Device seems to give the Blue Screen?? But again I am no vmware expert ... :-)

Are there any workarounds to get the Tape drive working with Vmware 5.5, as I am not sure when I will get my 6.0 license.

Thanks,
Ashwin
Reply Re: Vmware workstation 5.5.3 Build 34685 + HP USB Tape Drive = BSOD Jun 11, 2007 10:36 AM
in response to: Ashwin Apte
Click to view Neben's profile Expert Neben 457 posts since
Jun 30, 2005 VMware
Well, try formatting that USB 2.0 hard disk in a Windows VM. It will BSOD the guest. :o)

The only other workaround is to physically attach the USB 2.0 device to the host via a USB 1.1 hub. This will force the device to enumerate as USB 1.1, thus eliminating the USB 2.0 device/USB 1.1 in the guest issue.

You could also try out Player 2.0, but your VM won't be upgraded to the WS6 hardware version that enabled the EHCI (USB 2.0) guest controller. I think some people have probably figured out what needs to be done in the config file, but you're doing this at your own risk.
Reply Re: Vmware workstation 5.5.3 Build 34685 + HP USB Tape Drive = BSOD Jun 12, 2007 1:59 AM
in response to: Neben
Click to view Ashwin Apte's profile Novice Ashwin Apte 11 posts since
Jan 10, 2007
Thanks Neben, that answers my question, I am not going to try editing the config file or something of that sort.
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