VMware Tools Stuck Downloading After Upgrade to VMware Workstation 10

[FionaD]

I upgraded from VMware Workstation 8 on Windows 7 to VMware Worksation 10 on Windows 7. The first guest I started up successfully upgraded VMware Tools with no problem. The next one (a Windows Server 2008 R2 image) is stuck downloading the tools, or so it says. On bootup it offered me the upgrade tools option at the bottom of the window, and when I selected that, it said "VMware Tools installation cannot be started until the current download finishes." If I go to the VMware menu, it says "Downloading VMware Tools" where it should say Upgrade VMware Tools. I've rebooted the guest a couple times. I deleted the virtual floppy in case it was related to that old problem with virtual floppies, but no help. This image doesn't always have internet access, but I gave it internet access, and that didn't help. Anybody else seen this? Any suggestions?

[jmswanagon]

I am having the exact same problem! When I try to deploy VMware Tools on my guests, it just says "(Downloading)" in the VM menu. When I try to open the "Software Updates" tool from "Help", all I see is that my connection status is Disconnected. I've rebooted my PC multiple times and I can do a successful GET at the update URL listed below. VMware, post a manual download links for the ISO's since the update server seems to be down. Thanks!

John Swanagon

Avaya Inc.

[admin]

Hi John,

Here is the VMware knoweldge base article which can help you install VMware tools manually in windows virtual machine

VMware KB: Installing VMware Tools in a Fusion virtual machine running Windows

Hope this helps

[jmswanagon]

I'll check it out! Thanks!!!!

[OscarDavey]

Check the Network Setting and also see that Internet is working on the machine or not and  also check your DNS setting as well.

Your Oscar

[mfelker]

This does not solve your immediate concern but for future reference I never upgrade the WS binary or VMware Tools from within the program itself.

Although sometimes it does work (at least with Tools in VMware Player 6) very often it does not.  There seems to be a recurring problem with the VMware servers when they are used within the program itself.  . If one does want to try an upgrade from within the program I'd make a snapshot first.

I'll throw out some ideas which may or may not work.

  Perhaps yo could try to make a clone of your VM when it is powered down and see if that works (later you can rename the clone).  Perhaps you could try to attach a standalone cd with the Tools (other could point you to this) and see if you can install the tools again from the virtual cdrom. Also you mihgt find an external process in the task manager you could kill.  You could also try to unistall and then re-install the VMware program using the binary you  definitely will be able tgo download from the servers - or you may have it.

Good luck!

[jmswanagon]

I was able to resolve this issue! :smileygrin:

If you follow these steps, all of a sudden VMware Workstaiton will be able to download Vmware Tools and check for software updates. I don't get why, but perhaps simply running the app as an Administrator does it. Anyway, here is what I did:

1. Launch VMware Workstation.
2. Click “Edit” -> “Preferences”.
3. Click “Updates”.
4. Click “Connection Settings”.
5. In the “Connection Settings” window, change the proxy from “No proxy” to “Windows proxy settings”.
6. Click OK.
7. Click OK.
8. Open Internet Explorer.
9. Click the gear and select “Internet Options”.
10. Click the “Connections” tab.
11. Click the “LAN settings” button.
12. Uncheck the “Use automatic configuration script” option.
13. Click “OK”.
14. Click “OK”.
15. Close Internet Explorer.
16. Exit VMware Workstation.
17. Run VMware Workstation as an Administrator.
18. Click “Edit” -> “Preferences”.
19. Click “Updates”.
20. Click “Download All Components Now”.

Let me know if this resolves for anyone else...

John

[taxynidakis]

Thanks John this worked for me!

Thank you!

[nimalsam]

Thank you John it worked for me too.

Nimal