Random Network Disconnections in a Virtual Machine

Products

• VMware
• VMware Desktop Hypervisor
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

I have a Windows Me or Windows 2000 virtual machine that is disconnecting from the network. My host stays connected, but the virtual machine requires rebooting to fix this. What is wrong?

Environment

VMware GSX Server 2.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 4.x (Linux)
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Embedded
VMware Workstation 3.x (Linux)
VMware GSX Server 3.x (Linux)
VMware ESX Server 3.5.x
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Installable
VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware GSX Server 2.x (Linux)
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware GSX Server 3.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 4.x (Windows)
VMware ESX 4.0.x
VMware Workstation 3.x (Windows)

Resolution

There is a media sense feature in Windows Me and Windows 2000 that can erroneously report a "Cable Disconnected" state when in fact the virtual networking is still functioning. When this networking feature is disabled in the guest, these erroneous disconnections do not occur.

In your Windows Me guest, do the following:

1. Open the Control Panel, and double-click Network.
2. Right-click the AMD PCNET adapter and select Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.
4. Uncheck the Detect connection to network media check box.
5. Click OK or Apply, then reboot the guest operating system when prompted.

In your Windows 2000 guest, you must edit the Windows Registry to disable the media sense feature. Instructions on how to do this can be found in the Microsoft Knowledgebase at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q239924.

Note: The preceding link was correct as of March 11, 2010. If you find the link is broken, please provide feedback and a VMware employee will update the link.