VMware Fusion 2.0.5 Update Now Available
We are pleased to announce our latest maintenance release of VMware Fusion 2. VMware Fusion 2.0.5 is a free update for all VMware Fusion 1.x and VMware Fusion 2.x users. You can download the bits here.
VMware Fusion 2.0.5 fixes over 80 bugs and comes with the following enhancements:
Snow Leopard Host!
For you adventurous types who run Apple's latest Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard seed on your Mac, VMware Fusion 2.0.5 runs on your machines. Only 32-bit kernel is supported at this time. And because Snow Leopard is a pre-release operating system, VMware Fusion's Snow Leopard support is currently experimental.
Better Mac OS X Guest Support
We provided experimental support for Mac OS X 10.6 Server (Snow Leopard) as a guest operating system starting in VMware Fusion 2.0.3, and in 2.0.5, this support is extended to include the latest Snow Leopard seed (32-bit kernel only). We also worked with Apple to fix an issue with installing Snow Leopard guest on Macs with the powerful Intel Nehalem processors. Both Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 run well in virtual machines on Mac Pros and Xserves with Nehalem processors.
Ubuntu 9.04 "Jaunty Jackalope" Support
Of course, we have not forgotten those of you Linux fans. VMware Fusion 2.0.5 supports Ubuntu 9.04 as a guest operating system out of box, with pre-built modules and Easy Install. You no longer have to apply tricks like this.
Lower Idle CPU Usage
The VMware Fusion team is committed to providing a very stable and highly performing virtualization environment on the Mac. In this maintenance release, we reduced CPU usage when a virtual machine is idle under VMware Fusion.
For all the details of what VMware Fusion 2.05 has to offer, read the release notes.
What about the ATI Graphics Issue on Mac OS X 10.5.7?
I posted a note last month warning you about the problematic ATI drivers in Mac OS X 10.5.7. Unfortunately, the issue still exists. But be assured that we are following up with Apple and ATI on a resolution and we will update the blog when we have any change in status.
Is there a enhancement request site any where for fusion?
I really miss some features.
Posted by: Boz | June 24, 2009 at 06:54 AM
@Boz: yes, in the product: Help > Send Feedback. Also check out our forum: Help > Discussion Forums.
-David
Posted by: David Liu | June 24, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Nice stuff, but eagerly awaiting the ATI fix! :)
Posted by: Ben Vanik | June 24, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I just updated to VMWare Fusion 2.0 and got the lovely message about my ATI Graphics Driver not being compatible with this version of Fusion. I know everyone is working on fixing this issue and I trust it will be resolved soon. Like a lot of people have stated already, a warning about this issue would have been nice before I installed Fusion 2.0. Is there any way of uninstalling 2.0 and going back to the previous version or won't that make a difference? I would greatly appreciate any assistance.
Posted by: Chris Pittman | June 25, 2009 at 02:06 PM
How about the bug where if you boot into Windows (boot camp) from VMware, Windows thinks you've changed hardware and deactivates??
Posted by: Sam | June 25, 2009 at 06:21 PM
I would like a refund. This ATI driver bug has gone on for too long, and it is preventing me from using the applications that I switched from parallels to use anyway.
Seriously, what's the point in charging an extra $20 for upgrades when the upgrades are useless?
Posted by: Blake | June 26, 2009 at 11:06 AM
@Chris Pittman: the issue is with the ATI drivers in Mac OS X 10.5.7, so even if you run an older version of VMware Fusion, you may still run into 3D issues. VMware Fusion 2.0.5 temporarily disables 3D acceleration in the virtual machines if it detects the combination of ATI-based Mac and OS X 10.5.7.
@Sam: my other blog post explains why Windows requires activation when you use Boot Camp partition:
http://blogs.vmware.com/teamfusion/2009/03/take-control-of-vmware-fusion-2-series-windows-activation.html
As long as you install VMware Tools, you only need to activate your Boot Camp Windows once each in Boot Camp native and Boot Camp virtual machine.
@Blake: VMware Fusion 2.0.5 is a free upgrade for all existing customers.
Posted by: David Liu | June 26, 2009 at 11:52 AM
hi - for vmware 2.0.5, how do i install mac os x 10.6 there? the only options are to install the 10.6 server.
is it possible to install the client version?
Posted by: mike | June 29, 2009 at 07:31 AM
sorry - been reading the release notes wrong. vmware 2.0.5 runs on 10.6 workstation and you can now install 10.6 server as part of its virtualization features. :)
Posted by: mike | June 29, 2009 at 07:34 AM
Lame. The ATI thing has gone on for too long. VMware, ATI and Apple need to stop pointing fingers and just get it fixed.
Posted by: Mike | July 02, 2009 at 11:11 AM
I believe Apple does not allow virutalization of 10.6 (non-server) in their licensing. Could someone at VMWare confirm that?
Any word when Fusion will run in a 64-bit kernel? Is that Fusion 3.0 or sooner?
Posted by: Jon | July 05, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Come on guys! the ATI issue is really starting to do my head in! It's been going on way too long and it's really not serious! It's one thing to blame ATI, Apple and all, but competitors are handling just fine... Take parallels or Virtual Box.. Please guys!
Posted by: Olivier | July 22, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Guys, I downloaded Fusion just yesterday and I think it's all fine and dandy, but I already had 10.5.7 installed and I'm super disappointed in this ATI bug.
I'm obviously not buying this until the problem is solved. It does seem a bit nuts that this has existed now for literally months without being repaired. It's a huge dealbreaker.
Posted by: Jason | July 23, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I am running a WinXP Boot Camp VM in Fusion on a 2.4G Intel Core 2 Duo iMac and OS 10.5.7 with 3G of RAM split evenly b/w Mac and VM. I recently upgraded to Fusion 2.0.5 (and reinstalled VMWare Tools) and my XP environment has become extremely unstable. Programs are crashing but the task manager can't fully close them (has happened to Outlook, IE8, Adobe Reader), XP is intermittently unable to fully shut down so I have to Force Quit Fusion and reboot the Mac, and performance is noticeably slower overall. I have both Mozy backup and MobileMe sync running in the system tray. Any known issues that might be going on here? Should I downgrade back to Fusion 2.0.4? Help!
Posted by: Derek | July 23, 2009 at 04:37 PM
@Derek, the best place to ask and get help on issues like this, is the VMware Fusion community forum:
http://www.vmware.com/go/fusionforums
Posted by: David Liu | July 23, 2009 at 10:30 PM
I just downloaded the update 2.05 and it won't load because it says I need to quite Fusion, which I'm not running. Anyone know what gives here and what I need to do to install the update?
Posted by: Rance | July 26, 2009 at 02:20 PM
I recently bought vmWare Fusion, and although it is not a deal-breaker (I can still do some things) I find the ATI-problem very disappointing.
The fact that it's been months isn't exactly reassuring either.
Please fix this(or get someone to fix it) ASAP.
Posted by: Torbjørn Vik Lunde | July 29, 2009 at 03:33 AM
10.5.8 seems to allow 3D support again. Not official by any means, but it doesn't warn me anymore.
Posted by: Gp | August 05, 2009 at 06:07 PM
With Snow Leopard officially being released this Friday, will 2.0.5 run well on it?
Posted by: Marc | August 25, 2009 at 11:27 AM
I need to know this as well. Will 2.0.5 work and be supported once Snow Leopard is released?
Posted by: Eric aka Raider | August 26, 2009 at 06:19 AM
So now that Snow Leopard is not a "pre-release" are we going to see a real update with 64-bit support? I'm waiting for this to buy...
Posted by: Mike | September 09, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Where's the 64-bit support?!?!?! I boot Snow Leopard into 64-bit, when will VMWare support this?!?!
Posted by: AmazingRobie | September 13, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I just installed Snow Leopard abd my VM ware does not work. What do I do? Don't you have an update? Pleas respond.
Thank you
Posted by: david Disick | September 17, 2009 at 07:52 PM
great post!!! I really like this article, it has been a really nice lecture. Thank you for sharing!
Tatiana
Posted by: Sunless Tanning | October 15, 2009 at 09:12 AM
useful article, thank you!
cheryl
Posted by: Dental Care | October 15, 2009 at 10:08 AM