VMware Fusion 3 does not support 256 bit color (colour) mode for Windows 98 SE

[telcik]

PROBLEM / ISSUE:

VMware Fusion 3 does not support 256 bit color (colour) mode for Windows 98 SE

SCENARIO:

I installed the default Windows 98 SE operating system (no upgrades/patches) and then installed the VMware Fusion Tools using the Virtual Machine menu option. VMware Tools installs the display adapter "Vmware SVGA II" which does not support 256 bit color mode.

If you select "256 colors" from the "Settings - Colors" field on the "Display Properties" panel then restart Win 98 SE, you are prompted at reboot to start in "Safe Mode" because Win 98 SE could not restart in 256 color mode.

SOLUTION:

So far ... none.

I have seen a few VMware community notices by other users with VMware Fusion 2.x, so I presume this problem has been around for some time.

VMware Support ... are you planning to resolve this issue, as it prevents running older graphics-based applications (eg. old games).

Is there a workaround ? I have tried reducing the screen area to 640x480, but this did not resolve the issue.

• Tim

Revised scenario description.

[MACNEWSBUZZ]

Windows 98 ME !! Are you joking of course. Who on earth would like to run 98 ME, for old games?

Was a good one, I may try to find my disks for Windows 95, and see what happens.

[]s

[q-pa]

Windows 95 has the same problem.

Also, Windows 98 (SE) and Windows ME are two separate OSs. The former was pretty good, while the latter was awful.

[Ataru]

Mmmh.. apparently this "issue" still exists.. I guess hoping for 256 color support is futile by now. Yes, I need it for some games, yes i need it for some old Application software too.

What is weird, ms-dos driver with 256 seems to work, so there must be a solution to this.