Installation of VMware Tools (only fo r virtual machines) Includes important info about common installation problems & solutions Note: This is a good exercise! You should read through, at the very least. For more detailed instructions, please refer to the official Installing VMware Tools how-to, as well as the VMware/Tools Community Ubuntu Documentation. In the File Menu of the VMware Server , choose VM > Install VMware Tools, OK the warning message. This will mount a virtual CD-ROM drive containing the VMware Tools binaries. The virtual CD-ROM contains two f iles - one with the extension .rpm and the other with .tar.gz. The .rpm stands for RedHat Package Manager and is suitable for RedHat-based distributions. Since Linux Mint is Debian-based, this type of file is no t suitable for us (instantly). Nevertheless, even if it were, we want to use the archive (.tar .gz.). Advertise! Would you like to advertise your product/site on Dedoimedo? Read more Donate to Dedoimedo! Do you want to help me take early retirement? How about donating some dinero to Dedoimedo? Read more Installing Linux Mint - Page 4 Software & security Computer games Life topics Hillbilly physics Greatest sites 3D art Model planes Intro Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5External links Installing Linux Mint - Page 4 http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/install_linuxmint_4.html 1 of 12 3/16/2013 10:23 PM
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Installation of VMware Tools (only for virtual machines)
Includes important info about common installation problems & solutions
Note: This is a good exercise! You should read through, at the very least.
For more detailed instructions, please refer to the official Installing VMware Tools how-to, aswell as the VMware/Tools Community Ubuntu Documentation.
In the File Menu of the VMware Server, choose VM > Install VMware Tools, OK the warningmessage. This will mount a virtual CD-ROM drive containing the VMware Tools binaries.
The virtual CD-ROM contains two files - one with the extension .rpm and the other with .tar.gz.
The .rpm stands for RedHat Package Manager and is suitable for RedHat-based distributions.
Since Linux Mint is Debian-based, this type of file is not suitable for us (instantly).Nevertheless, even if it were, we want to use the archive (.tar.gz.).
Advertise!
Would you like to
advertise your
product/site on
Dedoimedo?
Read more
Donate to
Dedoimedo!
Do you want to
help me take early
retirement? How
about donating
some dinero to
Dedoimedo?
Read more
Installing Linux Mint - Page 4
Software & security Computer games Life topics Hillbilly physics Greatest sites 3D art Model planes
Once we hit the command line, we need to navigate to the directory containing the VMwareTools files. In the relevant directory, we need to locally execute the installation script (wizard).
This can be done using the following command.
sudo . / vmware- i nst al l . pl
See below in the image; notice the geeky fortune.
ling Linux Mint - Page 4 http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/install_linuxmi
The script is very simple and friendly. It asks questions, with default answers already selected.
You will merely need to hit Enter several times - although you should read each step carefully.
After several steps, you'll hit a snag. But don't worry, I led you there deliberately. The purpose
of this step is to show you that even when your installation supposedly fails, the workaround issimple and fast.
The reason you see the error below is because the default Linux Mint installation does not
come with all the packages needed for compilation of sources. We will install the missing
packages and then repeat the installation of VMware Tools.
If you read carefully, you'll notice that the installer even tells you which packages are missing -
gcc, binutils, make, and kernel sources - and where to find them, on the installation CD. Thismeans that even if you don't have a working Internet connection, you'll be able to obtain them.
This is extremely important because in a real life situation, the missing modules might be the
network adapters, for example. Luckily, you would have the sources on the CDs that came
ling Linux Mint - Page 4 http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/install_linuxmi
This comes to show that the command line is often simpler and faster - and should not be
feared! Lastly, you might want to setup the VMware Toolbox. This toolbox allows you to
synchronize time, the clipboard and the mouse movement between the host and the guest. It
will not run by default. You can manually invoke it - or add it to auto-start with thesession.
Manually, just type in Terminal:
vmware- t ool box
Alternatively, add the VMware Toolbox to your session. Click on Menu > Preferences >Sessions.
Under Startup Programs tab, you can see all the programs currently listed and enabled for allsessions. This is what we need. You can also configure your Current Session and generalSession Options, but that's another subject.
ling Linux Mint - Page 4 http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/install_linuxmi
Now, we're happy. So let's power up a browser and surf a bit.
You will notice that you cannot scroll up and down with themiddle-mouse button. This isbecause the default VMware Tools installation configures the mouse device as a class ic three-button mouse that does not have the scrollable middle mouse button. Let's change that.
Again, here's a good exercise in configuring system files and overcoming common installation
problems. We will edit the configuration file for X Server - xorg.conf , which controls all aspectsof the display - monitor, graphical drivers, mouse, and keyboard.
sudo gedi t / etc/ X11/ xor g. conf
ling Linux Mint - Page 4 http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/install_linuxmi