Installing VMWare tools for Ubuntu Linux
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
I’ve read all over the place that the latest version of VMWare supports Ubuntu directly, but it still doesn’t seem to work. I still get the error message that there is not a compiled version of the tools suitable for my system. Here’s the steps I took to allow the tools to compile:
sudo apt-get install build-essential
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r`
That was pretty much it. Once I had run those two commands, I was able to install the VMWare tools without a hitch.
Latest Posts
September 23rd, 2006 at 3:52 pm
I have run the first command, but when I tried to run
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r`
I got the following error:
Couldn’t find package linux-headers-uname -r
and when I tried to install vmware tool, I continually get the following message:
sudo: ./desktop/vmware/tools-distrib/vmware-install.pl: command not found.
I am a bit of a newbie so would appreciate any assistance.
September 26th, 2006 at 10:27 am
Irene, it looks like you used the wrong single quote (or apostrophe) character in the second command line.
The `command` construct causes “command” be executed, and its output inserted into the remaining command line.
October 5th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Have an article on my blog that goes into more detail here, including a full on rails install, etc. Seems like we have similar tastes! Ubuntu, Rails & VM.
October 20th, 2006 at 5:03 am
Irene try it this way:
$ uname -r
You will get your version, example:
2.6.15-27-386
Then try to write this command:
$ sudo apt-get install linux-headers-2.6.15-27-386
(Just add the information you got from uname -r at the tail…)
If it still does not work, try searching your headers with:
$ apt-cache search linux-headers
There have to be some packages, that fit, but if you install other 2.6.x headers, than your kernel version, there is no guarantee it will work.
February 2nd, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Hi,
I ran both commands successfully, but I’m still getting the same error message:
unable to copy the source file ./installer/services.sh to the destination file /etc/init.d/vmware-tools
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thx,
Robert
February 15th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Hi, I stumbled across this when looking for a solution for installing VMware Tools on to Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft.
Following on from some tinkering I’d done with installing Citrix ICA Clients I was aware of a package called “alien” that allows conversion of .rpm into .deb files that are compatible with the package isntaller in Ubuntu.
Start a Terminal and type in:
sudo apt-get install alien
Once the package has installed, copy the .rpm VMware Tools installer package to your home directory and type the following command:
sudo alien VMwareTools-5.5.3.36485
This converts the file in to a .deb file but admittedly I don’t actually know if it works, it installed fine but I’ll be damned if I can see that it has made any difference to my VM.
April 12th, 2007 at 7:17 am
I installed the VMware Tools from a converted alien file as well . the VmWare console still thinks that VMware Tools are not installed and I cannot increase the screen resolution beyond 1024×768. If anyone has any info I’ll greatly appreciate it!
April 12th, 2007 at 11:16 am
@Lewis Roberts
@Ade
Same EXACT thing with me. it supposedly installed but there was absolutely no change.
May 28th, 2007 at 8:49 am
I have run these 2 commands successfully, however, on running the vmware-install.pl command, I get to the c compiler message, and here I have to change the directory to /usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.20-15-generic/include
I then get the error:
“The directory of kernel headers (version @@VMWARE@@ UTS_RELEASE) does not match your running kernel (version 2.6.20-15-generic). Even if the module were to compile successfully, it would not load into the running kernel.”
Any suggestions anybody?
Thanks
June 4th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
@Tom
I get the same error, but I am using “16-generic”.
Any help would be appreciated.
June 6th, 2007 at 9:45 am
I got the same error using linux-headers-2.6.20-16-386
Did you also upgrade to feisty fawn? Didn’t have any problem in dapper or edgy…
June 12th, 2007 at 3:56 am
I’ve not gotten anywhere with this, I believe that it’s because Ubuntu is not a supported OS in the version of VMWare that I have.
I have been told that the most up to date version of VMWare will have support for my opperation system, but I don’t feel like buying a new license.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
After installing VMWare tools with the deb pkg, you need to run the config tool. sudo /usr/bin/vmware-config-tools.pl
This should install VM tools on Ubuntu.
June 16th, 2007 at 3:19 am
@Lewis,
For vmware-tools to be active, you still need to run vmware-toolbox.
July 17th, 2007 at 9:31 am
You can download VMWare Server for free. You don’t have to buy a new license unless you’re using ESX or something, so go ahead and upgrade.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Hi guys
Am facing serious problem with vmware tools, How do i install them on ubuntu guest ???
I tried alien, installed through terminal
what next ???
pls help meeeeeeee
August 7th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I have the same problem- generic, im using a recent copy of server, I have been having same problem basically vmware is the only VM that will run ubuntu BUT, it sux without tools, and you cannot install tools, unless u get it by some fluke miracle, i have installed 15 different ubuntu installations and tried on 6 different Vm machines, and ubuntu jsut doesnt happen, IMO buy a cheap box and a monitor switch and use that, and uninstall every VM you have put on your system cause they all suck! i tried every above method, and what i get is installation but, when you point to the 3rd folder the installer-services.pl wont copy to the init folder, and so it locks up the tool loader so you cannot install or uninstall, even brute force deletion doesnt work– basically VMWARE = SHITHOUSE get over it…
August 7th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
or you could just download an already tool installed iso from the vmware website which solves all your problems, but fact is, its still a POS software.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:02 am
This worked great for me installing the latest VMWare Tools to Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop. The second command was unnecessary though, the headers were already installed by default.
Thanks!
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 am
when trying to run ./vmware-install.pl
you must be logged in as root.
sudo -s
then run the command
November 7th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
acer c100 battery
January 3rd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I didn’t see my dad much after that, and one of the last vivid memories I have of him was when he brought me a cake for my 10th birthday. It was a rum cake… perhaps slightly inappropriate for a kid’s cake, but it began my obsesssion with rum and cake soaked in rum. I’ve had a lot of rum cakes, but never one before that matched that first delicious bite.
February 10th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
AYpearl specialize in wholesale jewelry,handmade jewelry,fashion jewelry,costume jewelry,bridal jewelry,discount jewelry,cheap jewelry,pearl jewelry,crystal jewelry,gemstone jewelry,turquoise jewelry,coral jewelry,shell jewelry,swraovski jewelry and etc.
March 12th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Koxp Koxp 1726 Koxp Merkezi
March 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Koxp
Koxp 1728
Koxp 1729
May 31st, 2009 at 10:42 pm
This worked great for me installing the latest VMWare Tools to Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop. The second command was unnecessary though, the headers were already installed by default.
June 4th, 2009 at 6:07 am
thanks, I learn VMWare here.
June 4th, 2009 at 6:10 am
Handmade jewelry
June 6th, 2009 at 3:00 am
www.level83.blogspot.com
June 24th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Thank you article admin saol :D
Koxp
Bu koxp Buda sxe
sXe,
sxe :D
sXe
June 24th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
have also tried all the suggestions above but still having the same problem when tried to run the command: “command not found”
I’m using ubuntu 9.04
and vm: 5
July 1st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Thank :D