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dafunker
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Impossible to install VMWare Workstation 8 on Windows 7

Hello,

We have a serious problem there.

We are trying to install the current version of VMWareWS8 (VMware-workstation-full-8.0.1-528992) on windows 7 (acer aspire X3990).

During installation process, An error is thrown : Failed to retrieve install path

Error 1314. The specified path %COMMON_DOCUMENTS%\Shared Virtual Machines is unavailable

followed by another Error popup :

The MSI 'C:\Users\dafunker\AppData\Local\Temp\vmware_1326209137\vmware workstation.msi' failed

Error 1314. The specified path %COMMON_DOCUMENTS%\Shared Virtual Machines is unavailable

We successfully installed the same version of VMWare on the same computer model (acer aspire X3990) on windows 7 too, it worked like a charm (even without env variable 'COMMON_DOCUMENTS' set).

I have tried different things :

- no firewall, no antivirus

- run as an administrator

- set a valid common documents env var

None of those things have been conclusive.

The vminstall log is attached to this post

(The problem occurs at 16:25:59 :

VMInst-build-528992: 01/10/12 16:25:59 Returning InstallPath=
VMInst-build-528992: 01/10/12 16:25:59 Failed to retrieve install path.)

Thank you for help

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continuum
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Hi and welcome

I would try this ...
open regedit as admin
find the key VMware, Inc  - on 32 bit hosts that is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc.
it has a subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc.\Installer\VMware Workstation
with a subkey DATASTORE_PATH which uses a value like "G:\\shared-vms"

If you preset that to a path that fits your needs the install may work.

While you are at it ... check permissions on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc.
VMware Workstation installers like to mess up permissions for that key


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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continuum
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Hi and welcome

I would try this ...
open regedit as admin
find the key VMware, Inc  - on 32 bit hosts that is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc.
it has a subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc.\Installer\VMware Workstation
with a subkey DATASTORE_PATH which uses a value like "G:\\shared-vms"

If you preset that to a path that fits your needs the install may work.

While you are at it ... check permissions on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware, Inc.
VMware Workstation installers like to mess up permissions for that key


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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dafunker
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Good job 🙂

On my 64 bit system, keys were located there,

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\VMware, Inc.

The issue was due, like you said, to permissions set to keys.

I'm surprised that the default installer can have an important bug like that.

Thank you Continuum !

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continuum
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I'd rather call it an undocumented feature Smiley Wink


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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Miltumaya
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Hi,

I am so frustrated to install VMWARE in my laptop. I can't install at all . Tried VM16pro , VM 16.1 and 8 non off i can install my machine . Please help me out . 

Al

 

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continuum
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Thats a known issue:

no Workstation version can be installed on Weird-OS running on a toaster.
Or in other words: #metoo posts in a technical forum make no sense.

Create a new post with all the relevant details.

 

 


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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