VMware Workstation 12 Player question

[garygu]

I am new to VMware. After I load an existing .vmx file (a predefined virtual machine for training class), loading is no problem. Then I click "Play virtual machine". The screen seems going to console (black) but just briefly ( a flesh ).
I have no idea what's happening. I am supposed to type command in virtual machine console to complete some exercise work.
Any one please help. I believe it should be simple, silly question but for me, I am stuck at very beginning.

Thanks
Gary

[TracyHuang]

Would you please provide more details. e.g. The host/guest OS version, the guest HW version, The workstation version 12.?. When you click "Play virtual machine" Can you see the boot BIOS info? Or just all black screen?

Besides, Workstation 14 player was just released, we would recommend you to upgrade to latest 14 for a trial. Thanks!

[garygu]

Thank you for response. My laptop is HP EliteBook, 64-bit, i5-6300U, Windows 10,  16G memory. I think my hard ware is good enough.

Not sure what "host/guest OS version" mean.

When I click "Play Virtual machine", I see black screen briefly and then gone. no BIOS info shows.

I dig into log file and see following -

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125: Msg_Post: Error

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125: [msg.cpuid.noLongmode2] This virtual machine is configured for 64-bit guest operating systems. However, 64-bit operation is not possible.

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125+ This host supports Intel VT-x, but Intel VT-x is disabled.

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125+ Intel VT-x might be disabled if it has been disabled in the BIOS/firmware settings or the host has not been power-cycled since changing this setting.

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125+ (1) Verify that the BIOS/firmware settings enable Intel VT-x and disable 'trusted execution.'

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125+ (2) Power-cycle the host if either of these BIOS/firmware settings have been changed.

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125+ (3) Power-cycle the host if you have not done so since installing VMware Player.

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125+ (4) Update the host's BIOS/firmware to the latest version.

2017-10-09T21:14:37.792-04:00| vmx| I125+ For more detailed information, see http://vmware.com/info?id=152.

looks like this might be the cause. But I am really afraid to change anything I BIOS to make this work.

And advise?

Thanks

Gary

[RDPetruska]

Yes, if this guest is a 64-bit OS, then you must enable VT in your host computer's BIOS.  And you must do a cold power down after changing that setting in the BIOS for it to take effect.

[garygu]

Thank you for response. I don't think I have BIOS access to my company laptop. Even it is allowed, I am afraid I am not able to do it correctly. However I got "Intel Processor Identification Utility" tool and I see "Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables :   Yes". Does it mean my VT-x is already enabled?

Could you give me some more suggestions to fix this problem.

Thanks

Gary

[RDPetruska]

As far as I believe, the CPU ID utility which you ran merely queries the CPU itself - the CPU supports that feature.  Unfortunately, it is up to the manufacturer of the motherboard to provide a means of supporting that feature such that the user can enable it via a setting in the BIOS.

If you cannot turn it on, you cannot run 64-bit guest VMs.  You will need to create/obtain a 32-bit version.

[garygu]

try to find 32-bit VMware to download but cannot find it.

I guess I have to give up on this

[RDPetruska]

No... your version of VMware is just fine.  You need a 32-bit guest OS virtual machine!  Your host cannot run 64-bit guests unless you enable that option in your BIOS, which you say you don't believe you can do with your work machine.