File system write access

[oleedd]

If you boot from usb, some programs need to create files on that usb to work. In case of VmWare (iso), this area is only for reading. In my case, with Linux, it is /mnt/sr01. That folder has cd disk and lock signs. And such programs don't work because they can't create a file there.

Is there a way to get writing access to there?

[bluefirestorm]

You can try using virtual disk (VMDK) mounted as a virtual USB disk. You can look at this post and possibly re-read the entire thread from the top.

https://communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-Workstation-Pro/Idea-Feature-Suggestion-Useful-to-have-vmdk...

You are not limited to ehci (USB 2.0) and can use xhci if the VM has USB 3.0.

[oleedd]

I tried directly ehci:#.readonly = "FALSE". With it, it gives syntax error. I don't use ESXi.

I also tried config.readonly = "FALSE" (found in another thread). And it is still not writable.

So what should I add to the .wmx file? 

(In case if my question is incorrectly understood: In case of Vmware, we have iso instead of usb. Its data is in /mnt/sr01 (in my case) and readonly. I understand that it can't change iso and block the folder because of that, but it could simulate changes for session. Some programs need to create files there to work.)

[bluefirestorm]

You need to replace # with a free USB port (which would be a number). Depending on your VM, you can check using lsusb assuming the guest OS is some variant of Linux or simply look at the vmx file which one is not yet used. Otherwise you need to do some trial-and-error with the USB port number.

As an example

ehci:5.present = "TRUE"
ehci:5.deviceType = "disk"
ehci:5.readOnly = "FALSE"
ehci:5.fileName = "your-usb-disk.vmdk"

USB 3.0 would need to have

usb_xhci: instead of ehci:

The idea is the bootable ISO can be written to the virtual USB disk using dd (and thus it would be bootable) and you could have another partition within the virtual USB disk that is writeable. If I am not mistaken, with Ubuntu, bootable USB created with dd from the ISO would be writeable without additional partitions (at least with physical USBs).

For simplicity, the VM needs to be using virtual UEFI (not BIOS) as well. With virtual UEFI, you can then select "Power On to Firmware" and the virtual USB disk should appear as a boot option.

[oleedd]

I didn't know how to correctly create .vmdk and how to copy iso data to there (already know), and I used the trick to boot from a real usb. Not bad result. Thanks. But it is a workaround. Tbh, I hoped that there is a way for iso (no uefi).