Workstation 6 + Linux + iPhone

[jpreed]

Hey all,

I wasn't planning on getting an iPhone, but some peer pressure ensued and now I have one.

I've been trying to activate it for a couple days now using a Linux guest and XP SP2, but have had no success. The basic problem is that when I plug the device in, Windows chimes with its little "USB device connected" sound, but iTunes doesn't list the device in its device list. (I am therefore willing to chalk this up to a software problem inside the guest, but...)

I started with an XP SP 2 VM running under Workstation 5; had the same problems there (and in fact, got a warning about "slower than expected speeds," so I'm assuming that was the lack of USB 2.0 support in 5.x), so I installed WS 6, upgraded the virtual hardware, and tried again.

This time, when I first plug in the iPhone, Windows says "New Hardware Found: iPhone," and installs drivers. Again, I can plug/unplug the phone, and Windows beeps, but iTunes sees nothing.

Some relevant log files:

from vmware.log

Jul 01 15:58:15.176: vmx| USB: Found device [name:Apple\ iPhone vid:05ac pid:129

0 path:4/3 speed:high family:vendor,hid,imaging]

Jul 01 15:58:15.176: vmx| VMXVmdbLoadUsbDevices: New set of 1 USB devices

Other times I connected the phone, I've gotten this:

Jul 01 03:31:54.350: vmx| USB: Autoconnecting e004000405ac1290

Jul 01 03:31:54.351: vmx| USB: Found device [name:Apple\ iPhone vid:05ac pid:129

0 path:4/3 speed:high family:vendor,hid,imaging]

Jul 01 03:31:54.351: vmx| VMXVmdbLoadUsbDevices: New set of 1 USB devices

Jul 01 03:31:54.873: vmx| SOCKET 177 client closed connection

Jul 01 03:31:55.873: vmx| EHCI: setup data packet over run 8 0

Jul 01 03:31:55.884: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

Jul 01 03:31:55.886: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

Jul 01 03:31:55.888: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

Jul 01 03:31:55.889: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

Jul 01 03:31:55.891: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

Jul 01 03:31:55.892: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

...

Jul 01 03:31:59.346: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

Jul 01 03:31:59.348: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

Jul 01 03:31:59.349: vmx| EhciNewBulk: tdlengths = 18924, pipesize = 16392

Jul 01 03:31:59.351: vmx|

Jul 01 03:31:59.351: vmx| <<< Log Throttled >>

from dmesg:

usb 4-4: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 6

usb 4-4: configuration #1 chosen from 3 choices

usb 4-4: USB disconnect, address 6

A couple of questions:

When I did the upgrade from WS 5 -> 6, the VM saw the changes and wanted to reboot due to "new hardware." I'm wondering if because this copy of XP was installed on a VM that had no USB 2 support if something inside the VM is grabbing it as a USB 1 device and preventing iTunes from seeing it (or something similar).

Which is to ask: would re-installing Windows cleanly under Workstation 6 help this problem?

I'd really like to get this working under VMware, so I don't have to have a computer lying around \*just* for my phone. 😕

TIA,

preed

Message was edited by:

RDPetruska

Removed emoticon from subject line

[BigCat400]

Since I am running Vista 64 bit, I was hoping I could synchronize my iPhone with XP under VMware. I am having no luck. XP detects the device as a camera but iTunes either hangs or won't see the iPhone.

Appreciate any help.

[dgleser]

I put in a support call with VMware and finaly got to talk to James.

Basically he said they are still working on the fix, and they will let us know when it will be available.

I am hoping it will be soon. Until then I am thinking about getting a Mac.

Thanks for talking to me James.

[Harald_Rudell]

So what's happening?

One month and two days, no fix? Booting into Windows is not my favorite hobby.

What I want to say to VMware Inc. is that this is a bug that may make people jump on Zen and what not, and if they do, they may not come back. I think many people use VMware because you were free first, and that's what why we tell our bosses we want VMware, because it "works." Complacency is a bitch. I also notice VMware broke in Ubuntu 7.04, and that's now say four months ago since when it takes source code fixing to install. The fix shop has been closed for while?

It's annoying enough that this thing does not recognize when a new kernel is installed. The reconfigure program understands that the kernel won't work, while VMware itself just crashes. We call that user experience.

I think and hope VMware can do better!

[admin]

One month and two days, no fix? Booting into Windows

is not my favorite hobby.

Sorry, it's still being worked on. I believe there's concern about breaking things for other USB devices...

I also

notice VMware broke in Ubuntu 7.04, and that's now

say four months ago since when it takes source code

fixing to install. The fix shop has been closed for

while?

What broke with Ubuntu 7.04? And do you mean Ubuntu 7.04 as a host? Which version of Workstation? Most of the Linux developers here use Ubuntu 7.04 as a host and aren't aware of any problems.

If your complaint is that you had to download the Linux headers and re-run vmware-config.pl to rebuild the modules for the newer kernel, then there should be an error message explaining that, but nothing should be crashing. If so, then that's a bug and certainly isn't the intended user experience.

[Neben]

The iPhone is obviously a high priority USB device for VMware to support. Unfortunately, there is little we can do with devices until they are released. We also don't want to push a fast fix out for a specific issue until we are sure that we haven't degraded the quality of the product. USB is particularly tough given the sheer number of devices out there (we may fix the iPhone, but break other USB devices).

[Harald_Rudell]

Hi guys,

Just to explain my unrelated issues, I will put them down here (hijacking this thread...)

a. I feel the non-agreement support process is inadequate. I believe it submits some sort of e-mail that cannot later be tracked or searched as opposed to these forums (I didn't report on the first Fusion due to this.) Is that a correct understanding?

b. Under Ubuntu Feisty 7.04, If kernel is upgraded since install, the command Gnome > Applications > System Tools > VMware Server Console just fails to start. Ignorant user must know the need to run vmware-config.pl as root to fix this issue and account for changed kernel modules.

(from memory, I don't have a system in this state as we speak...)

c. The install problem for vmware server on Ubuntu 7.04 Feistyu is described here http://satukubik.com/2007/06/01/installing-vmware-on-ubuntu-704/

d. And then this iPhone thing dzn't wrk.

I thought you guys were rolling in cash over there, hire more people!

(I'm on CentOS Ubuntu OSX XP Vista - making me a total fan of VMware)

[kkass]

Neben,

I agree with your feeling that you want to test a fix completely before including it in a general release. However I believe that many people would accept the potential risks of breaking other devices, and willing apply a patch to overcome this issue.

Personally the iPhone is the only USB device I need to use, and therefore would not be concerned about breaking USB support in a short term fix. Lets face it, anything is an improvement to booting natively to Windows!

[RDPetruska]

>Personally the iPhone is the only USB device I need to use, and therefore would not be concerned about breaking USB support in a short term fix. Lets face it, anything is an improvement to booting natively to Windows!

Personally, if you had 5-600 dollars to waste on a PHONE, you must have plenty of cash lying around to afford a phycial computer to use with it! I have a very nice $30 phone which I got for free from Sprint the last time I renewed my contract, and it does everythng I need to use a PHONE for.

Don't DARE do anything to the USB code just to fix this issue if you are going to break anything else. Many of us VMware users DO use lots of other USB devices!!!

[kkass]

I am not suggesting they release a general update that breaks USB. I mean that it would be helpful to provide patches that can be applied to to a common release.

And it is not a matter of what I can or can not afford to do. It is a matter of what is convenient for me. I only need windows to sync an iPhone, and I choose to not devote a complete system just for that. I have been very happy using VMWare to sync my ipod, and I would like to use the same setup for my iPhone.

There is no need to attack those people who choose to spend their money differently than you.

[BigCat400]

Neben,

Thanks so much for the update. Could you please PM me the iPhone fix. I am aware it's not final. I do not use any other USB devices on my VM so I am willing to try it out. I'll post back results of the testing.

Thanks again!!

[milli]

I suspect QA had been tied up with the Fusion release and now hopefully is working on a QA cycle for an update to Workstation 6, which hopefully includes the iPhone USB fix... I sure hope we don't have to wait more than another few weeks.

Funny you should mention Xen, I've started playing with it since my patience is wearing thin on this issue. Something that runs "closer to bare metal" may just be the answer in general. USB seems to be VMware's biggest source of problems... dunno why that is.

[RDPetruska]

>USB seems to be VMware's biggest source of problems... dunno why that is.

In this case with the iPhone, APPLE changed how they use USB (which is supposed to be Universal Serial Bus!). Blame Apple for once again ignoring any/all standards out there and trying to make their own!

[nate_sammons]

Still no word on this? It would really be nice to not have to have a dedicated windows box for an iPhone.... I'd much rather run itunes in a VM instead.

Please fix!

[terlynn4]

Well I was evaluating VMware Workstation 6 on Linux for the sole purpose of getting rid of the Windows box that I use JUST for iTunes, only to discover that it doesn't support my iPhone. Any idea how much longer until a fix is released? Or at least something in beta? I'm a bit crunched for time because I need my Windows box reloaded for something else in about 2 weeks, so I guess I need to be looking at other options if VMware doesn't come through on this soon.

[nate_sammons]

Yes, any more word on this? Hello out there in vmware land?

[niclane7]

bump!

Hey fellas what's the latest on this one?

[jldesq]

Me too. Same problem. Over two months now and no fix.... (except for one that vmware knows about but won't share???)

[nate_sammons]

Sigh. Luckily it seems that the iTunes store will soon be available directly on the phone, but still....

[verdell]

I'm still trying to get my 4th Generation iPod (no color) to work this way. It sounds as if the problems are the same. I've tried the kernel patch, resulting in breaking some other apps and the iPod still not working. I've tried the knowledge base fix with no luck.

(http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=1000223&sliceId=2&docTypeID=DT_KB_1_1&dialogID=18651330&stateId=0%200%2018649231)

Has anyone actually gotten a 4th Gen to work and what is VMware's stance toward resolution? Anyone know?

[Harald_Rudell]

They came up with ALSA in '98. VMware still does not have it, there is a thread just like this...

so there is Monopod for Gnome, you can power up your mac, or just wait for the Wi-Fi store. I am holding out for Wi-Fi, which is what I really wanted anyway...

Regards,

Harald Rudell