VM WORKSTATION 14 : run a Windows XP, but VMware Tools can't be installed

[CERKYR]

Hello,

I run a Windows XP, but VMware Tools can't be installed, on Workstation 14
The error message is "the update server could not be resolved".

This VM Windows XP has been converted from a physical computer .(hard disk failed)
And I see many problem on Windows related with drivers...like VGA and mouse.

I try to use a ISO file with nos success, that contain the VMware tools.

Is there a other way to install the vmware tools?

Regards;

[bluefirestorm]

There might be a problem with version 14 trying to download the wrong version. Some months back, it occurred on a VMware Player 14.x installation that I have that indicated there is a new VMware Tools for the XP VM but it tried to install 10.2.5. The last version of VMware Tools for Windows XP is 10.0.12.

You can download from this link https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=VMTOOLS10012&productId=614

You use the winPreVista.iso and mount it as virtual CD for Windows XP guest VM.

[CERKYR]

I wrote "I try to use a ISO file with nos success, that contain the VMware tools."

but I forget this détails, the ISO file was (and is ) not mouted by Windows XP. (then a other problem).

Next try : use a smaller USB key that contain your proposal (version 10.0.0.12) ..

I will come back to you in few minutes ...(go to the factory ...)

[bluefirestorm]

Windows XP does not have a built-in ISO mount utility/function (unlike Windows 10). You would need additional software to have that capability in the Windows Explorer of XP..

An example is this

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=38780

The easiest way to mount the ISO file, while the XP VM is powered down, and point the ISO file as the virtual CD/DVD drive for the XP VM; unless this is also a problem that you face but that would be very odd.

Since the XP VM you have is a P2V, you should also uninstall software/drivers for hardware that no longer exist (e.g. graphic card, network, modems, etc). Any "ghost" devices in Device Manager should also be uninstalled.

[CERKYR]

Yes, normally, the ISO file can be monted over the VM configuration.
But, here, it's not the case

Then, for the moment , the only thinhg that work is the VMware Shere Folder.

Then, the second thing is to find the installation file(s) dedicated for VmWare tools.

I download many things, but any download are running well...
If you have an URL to donwload the Vmware tools dedicated for Windows XP...

And after that, I think that all the problems will disapear.

[bluefirestorm]

The link that I sent you earlier for 10.0.12 is the last version for a guest OS like Windows XP.

This is an explanation https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2016/10/introducing-vmware-tools-10-1-10-0-12.html

If you mean "Shared Folder" of VMware, that would only work with VMware Tools installed. A lot of the VMware related methods such as Copy/Paste and Drag/Drop between guest VM and host are dependent on VMware Tools running inside the guest VM.

It is strange to have a mount of ISO problem. But anyway, the USB method might be the way to go. Just simply mount the ISO in the host (or some other machine) and the copy the ISO contents to a USB drive and attach the USB to the XP VM. USB drivers for VMs are not from VMware Tools; unless there is some other weird problem with USB controllers that you encounter.