Hello,
Welcome at the VMware communities forum.
.. trying to build a VM using the Vista Home Premium 32-bit reinstallation CD that came with my retired PC
I'm afraid that the Vista CD that came with your retired PC was most likely a OEM licensed CD and as such it is tied to that specific PC hardware.
We are not allowed to help you violating that license.
Perhaps better to download a windows 90 days trial instead?
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-8-enterprise
--
Wil
| Author of Vimalin. The virtual machine Backup app for VMware Fusion, VMware Workstation and Player |
| More info at
vimalin.com | Twitter
@wilva