Fusion 5 - USB 3.0 Supported - Really?

[mark099]

I am playing around with the v5 update, but cannot manage to get my Win7 VM to see either of my exFAT external volumes (WD Passport).  Complains about the host controller; no new drivers appear to be available.  I did check USB 3.0 Compatibility Option in Fusion.  I can connect using a USB 2.0 cable.

From Fusion 5 I can SHARE the USB 3.0 drive as a mac-mounted volume, and then map as a network drive in the VM.

"X" = \\vmwarehost\shared folders\exFAT

I can open files (i.e., XLS) from exFAT, but cannot save them.  I have checked permissions and confim read/write.  Note I CAN write TXT files without complaint - ODD!

What am I doing wrong?  Is this a WD issue, or a VMWare/Config issue.    Majorly frustrated,

Thanks!

[mark099]

Applied a few Win7 patches, which provied a Generic USB Hub driver.  Yay!

This eliminates the "Host Controller" complaint, but the drives do not appear in the Win7 VM, no errors.  I have them set to "Connect to this VM".

Any suggestions?

mark

[mark099]

I lied, the drivers is now reporting as FAILED, unrecognized device.

Bummer, I thought I was getting closer!

[WANGooRoo · Accepted solution]

Sadly... Windows 7 Guests are not supported with USB 3.0.

This page:  http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/features.html

Mentions:

USB 3 Connectivity

Extend your Mac's connectivity to your Windows environment and take advantage of USB 3 support for ultra-fast file transfers ¹, SDXC card reader to import and view your photos directly in Windows and view them on an external monitor or TV using the Thunderbolt port or HDMI port of your Mac.

BUT.... it also has a footnote at the bottom....

¹Microsoft Windows 8 required for USB 3 support.

[mark099]

Thanks!  Damned fine print!

"¹Microsoft Windows 8 required for USB 3 support."

Back to Fusion 4.0. No other compelling features in Fusion 5 for me, especially for another $49, on top of my $49 already spent in June this yr. 

[WANGooRoo]

I agree.  This is a crap upgrade offering very little value.

[WoodyZ]

WANGooRoo wrote: I agree.  This is a crap upgrade offering very little value.

Everyone certainly is entitled to one's own opinion however I have to disagree.  I think VMware Fusion 5 is the best version so far and for me the new Virtual Network Editor alone is worth the price as I'm tired of doing it manually and or using scripts.  The redesign of the Virtual Library makes up for the crappy one in version 4 too, I hated it and preferred version 3 to 4.  Also the additional features geared towards the commercial user have their merits as well or anyone in need of those that need those features.

The bottom line is, trial it before you purchase it and if you don't like it then don't buy it!  No one is forcing one to do so!

[WANGooRoo]

The virtual network editor is only available in the pro version.  The pricing/feature model is quite strange.

VMware should not be fractionalizing the product into two different versions.   USB 3.0 should be supported in Windows 7!

[FoxtrotIndia]

If you disable the USB 3 compatibility option, will the drives mount under Windows 7?

[WoodyZ]

WANGooRoo wrote: The virtual network editor is only available in the pro version.

So!?  What's your point?  I already said for me its work the cost.  Also there have been lots of us that have asked for this feature for over 5 years and also we'd be willing to pay more for a professional version that had more of the VMware Workstation features too.

VMware should not be fractionalizing the product into two different versions.

Seriously, no offense intended however it is not up to any of us to tell VMware how they should package and sell their products!  There are lots of manufactures that offer both a standard and professional version of their software or packages that the base functionality is free yet one needs to purchase a license for the additional advanced features.  So either model has been around for a while and are an accepted industry standard practice.

If one doesn't like the state of things then one doesn't have to purchase the product, it not the only virtualizaton product available and there is even one that is free but IMO at the present time VMware makes the better of them.

USB 3.0 should be supported in Windows 7!

It certainely wold be nice if USB 3.0 worked in every OS however there are not drivers available for all OSes and it is my understanding the Window 7 shipped without support for USB 3.0 so you can hardly blame VMware for this now can you!?