Ubuntu – VMware Workstation 12 does not run after ubuntu upgrade to 17.10

vmware-workstation

I have upgraded to Ubuntu 17.10 (from 17.04). Everything seems to work, however, VMware Workstation 12 does not startup anymore. No messages generated. Please help.

Best Answer

You need to upgrade to VMWare Workstation 14. Workstation 12 will not run with the kernel (4.13) in Ubuntu 17.10 unless you patch it. Patch available here: https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/commit/b50848c985f1

Run the following commands in Terminal to Patch (there are two ways to do this):

Patch Procedure 1:

Gain root user access:

sudo su
tar xvf vmmon.tar
tar xvf vmnet.tar
wget -O ./vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/b50848c985f1a6c0a341187346d77f0119d0a835/vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c
vim vmnet-only/bridge.c
cd vmmon-only/
make
cd ../vmnet-only/
make
cd ..
mkdir /lib/modules/4.13.0-16-generic/misc
cp *.o /lib/modules/4.13.0-16-generic/misc
insmod /lib/modules/4.13.0-16-generic/misc/vmmon.o
insmod /lib/modules/4.13.0-16-generic/misc/vmnet.o
rm /usr/lib/vmware/lib/libz.so.1/libz.so.1
ln -s /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libz.so.1 /usr/lib/vmware/lib/libz.so.1/libz.so.1
vmware-networks --start
exit

Run VMWare as a normal user:

/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware

OR

Patch Procedure 2:

Get into your home directory, or somewhere you can store files temporarily:

cd ~ [YOUR DIRECTORY]

Copy the vmmon source tar ball to your temporary location:

cp /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/vmmon.tar

Extract the tar ball:

tar xf vmmon.tar

Download the modified file and overwrite the one from the tar ball:

wget -O ./vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/b50848c985f1a6c0a341187346d77f0119d0a835/vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c

Wrap up the newly modified files into a tar ball replacing the original one:

sudo tar cf /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/vmmon.tar vmmon-only

Rebuild the VMware kernel modules:

sudo vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

Reboot your system:

sudo reboot

Sources to patch:

https://communities.vmware.com/thread/571370?start=0&tstart=0

AND

Ubuntu 17.10 Upgrade Broke VMWare Workstation 12.5

EVEN BETTER, I recommend upgrading to Workstation 14, which will remove Workstation 12.

Run the following commands in Terminal to install VMware Workstation Player 14:

mkdir ~/vmware
cd ~/vmware
wget -c https://download3.vmware.com/software/player/file/VMware-Player-14.1.1-7528167.x86_64.bundle

OR

Download it here:

https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation_player/14_0

Give the package permissions:

sudo chmod u+x VMware-Player-14.1.1-7528167.x86_64.bundle

Finally, install:

sudo ./VMware-Player-14.1.1-7528167.x86_64.bundle

As soon as the installer starts, please follow on screen instructions to complete the installation.

Select I accept the terms in the license agreement and then Click on Next. Update on startup; select yes (if you want).

Feedback; select yes or no.

License Key is optional (can be left blank).

Click Install on next screen.

Close when finished.

UNINSTALLATION

sudo vmware-installer -u vmware-player

Hope this helps.