topic Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm in VMware Workstation Pro Discussions

VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

Gaetan123 — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:28:56 GMT

Hello.

I have VMware workstation 16 Pro and I have converted my Lenovo laptop into a VM using converter but I'm unable to use the keyboard to log into the guest OS.

The new host is also a Lenovo but lower model. I cannot use the onscreen keyboard, the mouse works, a USB keyboard doesn't work and the option to install VMtools is greyed out. Any suggestions ?

Thks
Gaetan

Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

scott28tt — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 15:57:44 GMT

I believe the common suggestion in cases like this is to remove the custom keyboard drivers on the source system before you convert it.

Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

wila — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 20:32:24 GMT

Hi,

@scott28tt wrote:

I believe the common suggestion in cases like this is to remove the custom keyboard drivers on the source system before you convert it.

Close.. it is almost always the Synaptic software (& their drivers) that are installed at the original system that prevent the VMware keyboard from working in the P2V-ed VM.
Synaptic is software for the touchpad.

--
Wil

Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

Gaetan123 — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 10:05:23 GMT

So unless I P2V the laptop again, you're saying there's no way I can use the keyboard ?

Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

wila — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 10:13:15 GMT

Hi,

If your mouse is functioning then you can use the onscreen keyboard to uninstall Synaptic.

--
Wil

Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

Gaetan123 — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 11:57:04 GMT

The mouse is working but I don't have the onscreen keyboard at the login prompt.

I can start onscreen keyboard from the host but it doesn't input anything in the guest. Now I haven't tried to start the onscreen keyboard before starting the VM

Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

bluefirestorm — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:37:22 GMT

Do you see the "Ease of access" button the login screen? It should be the one next to the power button.

You can click on it and show the on-screen keyboard that way. I attached a screenshot.

Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

wila — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 14:02:30 GMT

Hi,

It should be available at the login screen (would be poor character of MS to keep their accessibility features away from the login).

It's the icon that looks like a clock, but is not.
It's also in BlueFirestorm's screenshot.

--
Wil

Re: VMware workstation 16 Pro - No keyboard on a converted vm

Gaetan123 — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:27:51 GMT

Indeed. Got it sorted removing SynTP from the registry.

Thanks all