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Category Archives: Consumer Desktop

VMware Player, ACE, Fusion, and Workstation

Top 20 VMware Fusion issues

Here’s a list of the top 20 KB issues our VMware Fusion customers are encountering in the past 30 days. Take a look over the list, maybe you’ll see something you or a friend could use.

Using VMware KVM Mode with VMware Workstation 10.x

Today we have a new VMware Workstation video. In this tutorial we discuss and demonstrate how to use VMware KVM Mode with VMware Workstation 10.x.

VMware Workstation 10.x allows users to run Workstation in VMware KVM mode. This mode allows you to switch between active virtual machines using hotkeys. Virtual machines can be run in full-screen without launching the Workstation UI and manage their power state via CLI (command line interface). VMware KVM mode can be used as an alternative to run virtual machines only in full screen, allowing switching between them using a configurable hot key.

Note: VMware KVM mode is only available for Windows version of Workstation 10.x. As well, VMware Tools must be installed on the guest operating system.

For additional information, check out VMware Knowledge Base article Using VMware KVM Mode with VMware Workstation 10 (2057914).

New book: Getting Started with VMware Fusion

One of our own, Michael Roy has just published his first book: Getting Started with VMware Fusion, written to help readers to get started running Windows on their Mac the right way.

Michael talks about how to import your physical PC into the virtual world, and provides practical examples of how to keep your new Virtual Machine secure, backed up, and running smoothly.

Going a bit deeper, he teaches you about snapshots explaining their great uses, and also using Linked Clones in VMware Fusion Professional.

Michael Roy started at VMware working on VMware Fusion version 2 in 2009, where he co-led a world-class global support team, giving customers the help they needed to get the most out of VMware Fusion. He currently specializes in Technical Marketing for Hybrid Cloud Services.

VMware Fusion 6 fails to start on some Macs

A few customers are reporting a problem after installing or upgrading to Fusion 6 — Fusion crashes right after being launched. They see a screen that looks like this:

Click the image to see a larger version.

This problem happens when there are Fusion 1.x or Fusion 2.x license keys still present on the Mac.

To resolve this crash — that is, to start up Fusion properly — it’s necessary to delete the old license files. For the full steps to do this, please refer to: VMware Fusion 6 fails to start (2058900).

New KBs for the new releases of Fusion and Workstation

As you know by now, VMware released new versions for it’s desktop virtualization products: VMware Fusion, and Workstation. To go along with these new versions, we have also created some new Knowledgebase articles and/or updated existing articles. Here is a list of what you need to know.

Fusion

Workstation

Both

Using VMware Fusion to Install the OS X Mavericks Developer Preview

Apple recently announced the next version of OS X, OS X 10.9 Mavericks. A developer preview is currently available to those enrolled in Apple’s Mac developer program, to get an exclusive sneak peek at Apple’s latest OS X offering.

To install OS X 10.9 mavericks inside a virtual machine on VMware Fusion, you will need an existing virtual machine running OS X 10.8. The installer app can only be used to upgrade an existing and working installation of OS X 10.8.

Note: refer to KB article: Installing Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8) as a guest operating system in VMware Fusion 5 (2033778) to learn how to create a new OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion virtual machine.

After the virtual machine is ready, download the OS X Mavericks developer preview installer app from the Mac Dev Center. After the download finishes, double click the install app to start the installation/upgrade.

Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the upgrade. when prompted, restart the virtual machine. After a reboot and subsequent login, you should be running the latest OS X preview.

Using VMware Workstation virtual machines in VMware Fusion

Today we have a new video which is specifically geared towards users of our Consumer Desktop products including VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion.

This video tutorial discusses and demonstrates how you can use VMware Workstation virtual machines in VMware Fusion. Fusion and Workstation virtual machines are interchangeable and can be easily moved between the two platforms without the need to use VMware Converter. The virtual disk formats are the same and the virtual machines can be used in either platform.

For additional information see VMware Knowledge Base article Using VMware Workstation virtual machines in Fusion (1002320).

Note: For best viewing results, ensure that the 720p setting is selected and view in full screen mode.

Locating your VMware Workstation serial number

Ever wondered how to locate your VMware Workstation serial number after the software has been installed on your machine?

We present you with a new video today, geared towards users of our VMware Workstation product.

The serial number is listed in the order confirmation email you receive for your Workstation purchase. Workstation License Keys that have been registered will be listed in your My VMware account. See Knowledge Base article: Viewing license keys in My VMware (2006831) for additional details.

For additional information, see the associated VMware Knowledge Base article Locating the VMware Workstation serial number (1000069).

Note: For best viewing experience, ensure that the 720p quality setting is selected and view in full screen mode.

Installing Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) as a guest operating system in VMware Fusion 5

Greetings KBTV fans and a very happy Friday to you!

Today we have a new video for our VMware Fusion users which discusses and demonstrates installing Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) as a guest operating system in VMware Fusion 5.

A few things to point out before trying this out in your own environments:

Apple’s End User License Agreement allows you to install up to two additional copies of Mountain Lion on your Mac, which is already running a retail version of Mountain Lion.
You cannot install OS X 10.8 on a Mac running OS X 10.7.
Installing Mountain Lion as a guest operating system is only supported in VMware Fusion 5 and not older VMware Fusion versions.

The installation process itself is relatively straight forward and easy. Between following this video tutorial and the written instructions in VMware Knowledge Base article Installing Mountain Lion as a guest operating system in VMware Fusion 5 (2033778), you should be all set.

Note: For best viewing results, ensure that the 720p quality setting is selected and view in full screen mode.

Enjoy the video and enjoy your weekend!