Ubuntu – Problems running Ubuntu 12.10 in VMWare Player 5

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I'm trying to install Ubuntu 12.10 in VMWare Player 5. My pc is running Windows 7.

The installation seems to go okay, but when I boot up ubuntu, although it starts up and I see the desktop, I can't see any task bar or basically anything other than the default wallpaper in the background.

When I move my cursor across the screen towards the edges, the desktop flickers and extremely distorted and pixelated objects appear momentarily.

I've tried uninstalling everything, downloading it all again and reinstalling, but I get the exact same problem.

Does anyone recognise this issue? Is there a more stable pairing than Ubuntu 12.10 & WMWare Player 5.0.1, perhaps?

Best Answer

I have exactly the same behaviour with Windows 7, VMware Player 5.0.1 and Ubuntu 12.10, while 11.10 runs fine both in native mode and as a VM (host is a laptop, Sony VPCZ138GW hybrid graphics - Intel & Nvidia).

Clicking on the appropriate screen coordinates one can launch applications, however; e.g., left hand corner click allows to type and run a perfect "terminal", and right hand corner allows a proper shutdown...

PS: Shutting the VM, toggling the switch to the Nvidia (Windows does it live) and starting the VM solved the problem, so if you do NOT have a hybrid graphics, VMware Player 5.0.1 should address your issue; if you have a hybrid graphics, you can try this recipe...