VMware Workstation 7.1.3 no longer functional (at all) on Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty) -- FIXED IN WS 7.1.4.

[Noel]

CURRENT STATUS: Fixed in Workstation 7.1.4.

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Original:

After today's updates, which include the new X server (based on 1.10 RC2, I believe), VMware Workstation 7.1.3 no longer runs at all.  Attached are the logs, which are less than informative without the source code.

FIRST UPDATE: There is a posted workaround from VMware.  I have attached vmware.sh containing the workaround.

Updated to reflect workaround.

[Noel]

I also have:

-rw------- 1 noel noel 19966831 2011-02-25 12:01 _usr_lib_vmware_bin_appLoader.1000.crash

but seeing as it is almost 20MB (14MB compressed), please advise if you want it, and if so, where.

[jlward4th]

Same problem here. 

[Noel]

James Ward wrote:

Same problem here. 

Glad for the confirmation.  Anyone else?  Is it working for anyone?

[stef31]

Same here! I've tried to reinstall vmware (just in case) or vmplayer. No success!

I've booted on a  10.10 CD and tried to run it in a chrooted environment but it failed the same way.

I was unable to import the VM converted to an OVF file into virtualbox.

I'm expecting a beta or an upgrade from VMware...

Anyone with a clue ?

[tsuther]

same problem for me.

[Uukrul]

Debian system problems with the work there are no ... everything works.

[jeffreyknight2]

bug confirmed here too. both vmware-worktation & vmplayer.

[martyfelker]

Waht kernel is natty Alpha 2 usings?  If 2.6.38.x there is no fix AFAIK so it would be suprising if you could even isntall WS.  I can't test test because Natty will not work with my video card - NVIDA Geforce 6150E nforce 430.d  I'm fairflyi certain it will work in a VM but I've not tried it.  Opensuse 11.4 Milestone 5 could not handle the disply adapter but works in a VM.

Marty

[tsuther]

Kernel modules compile fine (after a applying a patch someone posted).

That's the weird thing. Normally it's the kernel modules that break,

but that doesn't appear to be the case this time around.

[martyfelker]

Please post the return for "uname -r " for the kernel version.  I believe the platch you mention is for kerenel 2.6.37.x.  If there is a patch file for kernel 2.6.38.x I'd appreciate somebody pointing me to it.  I could either install Natty  Alpaha 2 (updated) in a sepreate partiiton or install the 2.6.38 patch forf kernel 2.6.38 on my Debian 6.0 Wheezy/sid.  The lataer of course would take less time but either way it would be a few days if in fact a patch for 2.6.38.x has been programmed.  I am workinig on other projects for VMware and VirtualBox, later qemu and maybe XEN.

Marty

[tsuther]

2.6.38-5-generic x86_64    -and yes I believe the patch applied was for 2.6.37 (vmware-7.1.3-2.6.37-9-generic.patch).

[Noel]

Marty, I've had it working with Natty until this week when the X Server was updated to 1.10, along with with things.  That is when the Workstation UI stopped (complains about AppLoader failing).

VMware really needs to Open Source more of the non-essential code, keeping what they *need* proprietary proprietary.  They are losing the battle in terms of release cycle.  Ubuntu, Fedora, and other Linux distros are releasing every 6 months, and everyone else is able to keep up.

Personally, I'd like to see the UI redone in Python, with supporting libraries in C. It could be IronPython for MS-Windows users (pobrecitos).  That would give us a much more flexible and customizable environment, as well as enabling community-authored bugfixes (e.g., for the long-standing defect with the wrong tabs loading) and enhancements.

[martyfelker]

Noel

I could not get Natty Alpha 2 installed on my "real" hard drive because of X problems. While I could try again I think it might be a lost cause as I had a similar X problem with openSUSE 11.4 I expect it may be the same with Fedora 15 as well if Fedora 14 Rawhide updating Xorg server holds true. So for the moment I'll stick with Debian 6.0 sid and Slackware 11.1 both of which can run VWware Debian I've installed WS on kernel 2.6.37 using the patch - which again was perfect. Slackware right now has kernel 2.6.33 but I'll compile 2.6.37 if the sources is available lin the Slackware repos (or even vanilla from kernel.org). I'm not spending much time at all with Slackware - I've gotten sound and printing working and the Adobe Flashpayer 64-bit "Square" so I'm OK with it for the moment. I do have a free partition on drive 2 (have 2 320GB Seagate SCSI - drive one for Windows 7 and a virtual machines partition drive 2 for Debian and Slackware and extended partition for Windows 7 image - a must for me!.

As for your programming details I can't say as I'm not doing programming anymore just using other peoples code like you and the others who have worked on the kernel patch. I will say I'm very surprised that VMware has not come with a delta which would handle upgraded linux kernels assuming the compiler and headers are available

Is that impossible? VirtualBox handles it very well though of course all the source is available. I suspect they may might make two versions of WS available - one with some features (like excluding ACE) for say $49 (upgrades for $29) (target home users) and another version with the bells and whistles s for the $189. (target corporate users).

But of coursed they are not going to listen to me -or many others on the forum with serious complaints. I reember "back in the day" (maybe version 2.x or 3.x) where they provided experimental support for OS/2 and then canned it. People screamed and yelled to no avail. I think current users should get a free upgrade to version 7.2 or something - I won't (and can't) pay $99 for an upgrade.

Actually Natty Alpha 1 did work with VMware WS because the default kernel was still 2.6.37 and Canonical didn't upgrade X - from reading Linux Format looks like they are working for a replacement for X11 framework - long overdo - X has been Unix standard since 1986 I think

Marty

[martyfelker]

Not sure how that worked. The script file (.sh) pointed to a patch for 2.6.37 - not 2.6.38.

Marty

[martyfelker]

Just because VMware WS 7.1.3 says it has installed sucessfully doesn't mean it will actually run on a given kernel. It has to compile modules also and AFAIK this is not possible except for a patch if kernel > 2.6.35. The install program should check for the kernel version but it does not for whatever reason.

Marty

[tsuther]

Yes, you're right.  I monkeyed with the .sh to bypass the version check.  I didn't expect it to work, but did hope for it to work 😕

The modules did compile though, and it seemed to work fine until something in Natty changed during an update.

[martyfelker]

You rename the patch file as well as the shell script? You can attach both but I don't see how it could possibly work.

Marty

[tsuther]

The patched modules compile, but you are correct, vmware does not function.  It segfaults somewhere in the apploader portion.

I've attached the somewhat-broken patch in case anyone was curious...

[Netguys]

Anyone have any updates on this?  (it's broken for me, too)

Or did everyone secretly get their's working?