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rizlaw
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Unable to install VMW 6.0.3 on Ubuntu 8.04 Host

I just finished a fresh install of Ubuntu 8.04. Expecting that I would have a problem reinstalling VMW6 into the new kernel,

I checked the posts on this forum and followed instructions provided in the March 21, 2008 post entitled "vmware-config fails in compile on Ubuntu hardy heron 8.04 (kernel 2.6.24)".

The instructions were as follows:

"DirkKoopman says:
fixing it is quite easy.
1. untar /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/vmmon.tar in somewhere like /tmp
2. edit vmmon-only/include/vcpuset.h
change line 74 from asm/bitops.h to linux/bitops.h
3. tar cvf vmmon.tar vmmon-only
4. mv /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/vmmon.tar /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/vmmon.tar.orig
5. cp vmmon.tar /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source
and try vmware-config.pl again.

Needless to say, following these instructions to the letter, didn't work for me. My terminal output is as follows:

bq. bq. bq. louis@Zeus:~/vmw6install/vmware-distrib$ sudo ./vmware-install.pl
A previous installation of VMware Workstation has been detected.
The previous installation was made by the tar installer (version 4).
Keeping the tar4 installer database format.
Uninstalling the tar installation of VMware Workstation.
Stopping VMware services:
Virtual machine monitor done
File /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/vmmon.tar is backed up to
/usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/vmmon.tar.old.0.
This program previously created the directory /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source,
and was about to remove it. Since there are files in that directory that this
program did not create, it will not be removed.
This program previously created the directory /usr/lib/vmware/modules, and was
about to remove it. Since there are files in that directory that this program
did not create, it will not be removed.
This program previously created the directory /usr/lib/vmware, and was about to
remove it. Since there are files in that directory that this program did not
create, it will not be removed.
The removal of VMware Workstation 6.0.3 build-80004 for Linux completed
successfully. Thank you for having tried this software.
Installing VMware Workstation.
In which directory do you want to install the binary files?

What is the directory that contains the init directories (rc0.d/ to rc6.d/)?

What is the directory that contains the init scripts?

In which directory do you want to install the daemon files?

In which directory do you want to install the library files?

In which directory do you want to install the manual files?

In which directory do you want to install the documentation files?

The path "/usr/share/doc/vmware" does not exist currently. This program is
going to create it, including needed parent directories. Is this what you want?

The installation of VMware Workstation 6.0.3 build-80004 for Linux completed
successfully. You can decide to remove this software from your system at any
time by invoking the following command: "/usr/bin/vmware-uninstall.pl".
Before running VMware Workstation for the first time, you need to configure it
by invoking the following command: "/usr/bin/vmware-config.pl". Do you want
this program to invoke the command for you now?
Making sure services for VMware Workstation are stopped.
Stopping VMware services:
Virtual machine monitor done
Configuring fallback GTK+ 2.4 libraries.
In which directory do you want to install the theme icons?

What directory contains your desktop menu entry files? These files have a
.desktop file extension.
In which directory do you want to install the application's icon?

Trying to find a suitable vmmon module for your running kernel.
None of the pre-built vmmon modules for VMware Workstation is suitable for your
running kernel. Do you want this program to try to build the vmmon module for
your system (you need to have a C compiler installed on your system)?
Using compiler "/usr/bin/gcc". Use environment variable CC to override.
What is the location of the directory of C header files that match your running
kernel?
Extracting the sources of the vmmon module.
Building the vmmon module.
Using 2.6.x kernel build system.
make: Entering directory `/tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only'
make -C /lib/modules/2.6.24-16-generic/build/include/.. SUBDIRS=$PWD SRCROOT=$PWD/. modules
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.24-16-generic'
CC /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/linux/driver.o
CC /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/linux/hostif.o
CC /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/common/comport.o
CC /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/common/cpuid.o
In file included from include/asm/bitops.h:2,
from /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/./include/vcpuset.h:74,
from /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/./include/modulecall.h:23,
from /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/common/vmx86.h:18,
from /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/common/hostif.h:18,
from /tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only/common/cpuid.c:14:
include/asm/bitops_32.h:9:2: error: #error only <linux/bitops.h> can be included directly
make[2]: *** Error 1
make[1]: *** module/tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.24-16-generic'
make: *** Error 2
make: Leaving directory `/tmp/vmware-config1/vmmon-only'
Unable to build the vmmon module.
For more information on how to troubleshoot module-related problems, please
visit our Web site at "http://www.vmware.com/download/modules/modules.html" and
"http://www.vmware.com/support/reference/linux/prebuilt_modules_linux.html".
Execution aborted."

How do I fix this and get VMW6 installed in Ubuntu 8.10? I'm no VMware expert, so please provide, if possible, easy instructions.

Sorry, about the appearance, but it seems Firefox 3 beta5 doesn't work well on this forum.

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stfb
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Here is the solution I found :

  • unpack VMware-workstation-6.0.3

  • go to vmware-distrib/lib/modules/source

  • untar the file vmmon.tar (tar xvf vmmon.tar)

  • cd vmmon-only/include

  • edit the file vcpuset.h

  • go to line 75

  • change #include “asm/bitops.h” to #include “linux/bitops.h” (Because there are some changes made to the 2.6.24 kernel, it’s not possible to include bitops.h from asm and you will have to include it from the linux directory)

  • go back to vmware-distrib/lib/modules/source

  • remove the old vmmon.tar file (rm vmmon.tar)

  • repack de new vmmon.tar file (tar cvf vmmon.tar vmmon-only)

  • remove vmmon-only directory (rm -rf vmmon-only)

Now go to vmware-distrib directory and install vmware as you usualy do. It should work without a glitch. Smiley Wink

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stfb
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Here is the solution I found :

  • unpack VMware-workstation-6.0.3

  • go to vmware-distrib/lib/modules/source

  • untar the file vmmon.tar (tar xvf vmmon.tar)

  • cd vmmon-only/include

  • edit the file vcpuset.h

  • go to line 75

  • change #include “asm/bitops.h” to #include “linux/bitops.h” (Because there are some changes made to the 2.6.24 kernel, it’s not possible to include bitops.h from asm and you will have to include it from the linux directory)

  • go back to vmware-distrib/lib/modules/source

  • remove the old vmmon.tar file (rm vmmon.tar)

  • repack de new vmmon.tar file (tar cvf vmmon.tar vmmon-only)

  • remove vmmon-only directory (rm -rf vmmon-only)

Now go to vmware-distrib directory and install vmware as you usualy do. It should work without a glitch. Smiley Wink

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rizlaw
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Thanks for the reply STFB, but that looks like what I already mentioned I tried without success. I prefer that the VMware team issue an update that correctly installs in Ubuntu 8.04.

Are you listening Vmware?

Alternatively, can anyone tell me if the 6.5 beta of VMware Workstation installs correctly in Ubuntu 8.04? I would rather use that and pay for the upgrade when it's finally released.

Edit on 4/25/08: My apologies STFB. After looking more closely at your posted answer, I realized that there was a difference between the instructions I had originally found and followed and the instructions you posted. I decided to try yours and they worked "without a glitch". Many thanks STFB.

By the way, on my installation the required change to "vcpuset.h" occurs on line 74 (using gedit's line numbering in Ubuntu) not 75.

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PBTech
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Thanks for the easy to follow and consise instructions. I was able to get VMware Workstation v6 working with Ubuntu Desktop 8.04 x86 within a minute of reading this forum post.

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admin
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Well done stfb, it worked like a charm here also... with my jelly like screen

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splashi
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Thank you very much!

It works pretty good even on my PC.

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dolphans1
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Can someone please explain to me what you mean by line 74, I am not a computer programer but do you actually count to line 74, because the lines are not numerically numbered, or do you visually look for the line you mentioned, then make the edit?

Thanks,

d-1

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admin
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I just scrolled down until I found it, I'm not sure what line it was

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photor
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It also works for installing VM Player 2.0.3 on Ubuntu 8.04 Host!

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dolphans1
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Thanks for pointing that out.

d-1

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Daniel15
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Can someone please explain to me what you mean by line 74, I am not a computer programer but do you actually count to line 74, because the lines are not numerically numbered, or do you visually look for the line you mentioned, then make the edit?[/quote]

Most computer programmers use an editor that shows line numbers along the side of the edit screen. If you're using gedit (comes with Gnome, it's at Accessories → Text Editor), enable line numbers (Edit → Preferences → tick "Display line numbers") and you'll easily be able to find the line then Smiley Happy

Otherwise, just do a Find and find that specific line - It only occurs once.

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cmcneil
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stfb thank you for posting your solution and the clear steps to execute it... solved my problem on Ubunto 8.04 perfectly.

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luh3417
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Hi I am running new install of Heron 686 Pentium. I followed this but still get a compile error as follows:

/tmp/vmware-config3/vmmon-only/./include/compat_wait.h:60: error: conflicting types for ‘poll_initwait’

include/linux/poll.h:65: error: previous declaration of ‘poll_initwait’ was here

/tmp/vmware-config3/vmmon-only/linux/driver.c:198: warning: initialisation from incompatible pointer type

make[2]: *** Error 1

make[1]: *** Error 2

make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.24-17-generic'

make: *** http://vmmon.ko Error 2

make: Leaving directory `/tmp/vmware-config3/vmmon-only'

Unable to build the vmmon module.

Any assitance greatly appreciated.

Is vmware putting out free download update version soon?

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luh3417
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Problem solved. I was running VMW 6.02, Upgrading to 6.03 then following the above advice worked AOK. Thankyou.

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amaltemara
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Thanks much for posting your solution. I was making the same mistake of applying the change to 6.0.2... oops! :smileygrin:

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