Running win7 64bit as host, ubuntu 12.04.1 as guest. When choosing to Reinstall VMWare Tools the cdrom image does not get mounted. Checked with mount command, its not there. Try to manually mount (sudo mount -t iso9660 /dev/cdrom /cdrom) won't mount...says it is at first read-only, but then complains of unknown filesystem type...checking with dmesg | tail gives:
[ 1264.020860] ISOFS: Unable to identify CD-ROM format.
So anyone have any ideas?
1. Are you connected to the internet? you can update the VMware Tools remotely by clicking (in windowed mode or from the pulldown bar) Virtual Machine>Install/Reinstall VMware Tools.
2. If it is important to install from the disc, make sure you are using the correct format and file. The file (not sure where you get it, but if you have installed the vmware tools before you can poach the file from C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Player\linux.iso) should be called linux.iso before you burn it to the disc. Also, use an iso burner (like http://www.freeisoburner.com/ ). DO NOT just drag and drop the file into the cd/dvd drive in windows explorer. this will format the file as a windows file instead of a disc image.
If the VMware Tools ISO Image already exists in the programs working directory, linux.iso in this case, and does not mount automatically then just manually assign the linux.iso file to the CD/DVD in the Virtual Machine's CD/DVD Settings and make sure it's connected. The disc image should mount automatically in Ubuntu if logged into the Desktop however if not then try mounting it manually and then install without using the VMware Tools command on the menu.
Also based on what you said in your OP then I see no reason to burn the ISO Image to Optical Media as mentioned by Beauness_Round and instead just do as I've suggested.
