The only thing I can say is don't use Easy install! Install the Tools "manually" after the OS has booted using thh 'Advanced option" during the first screen and then "I will insatall the OS later". Use the pull down menu from the VM tab to do this. The Tools cdrom will be automounted -follow the instructions from VMware after that (use help!).
I hope this prerequiste for compiling anything on Linux is mentioned in the Help - i haven't looked. In Ubuntu or Debian you would need the equivalent command " sudo apt-get install build-essential". The manual method is a bit more complicated (not much) but does have the advantage of displaying any errors which you might post here for possible assistance..
