VMware Workstation stops functioning after updating the kernel on a Linux host

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

If VMware Workstation is installed on a Linux host and the Linux kernel is updated, you may experience these symptoms:

• The VMware Workstation user interface no longer starts
• You see an error indicating that the VMware Workstation user interface is not working

Environment

VMware Workstation 11.x (for Linux)
VMware Workstation 8.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 4.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 9.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 5.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 10.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 7.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 3.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 6.x (Linux)

Resolution

Configuration with vmware-config.pl is required when you upgrade your host operating system kernel.

Note: It is not necessary to reinstall Workstation after you upgrade your kernel. In Workstation 6.5.x and earlier, follow the proceeding instructions. In Workstation 7 and later, a tool called vmware-modconfig runs the first time Workstation launches after the kernel is updated -- you need to enter the root password at this time.

The installer places vmware-config.pl in /usr/bin . If /usr/bin is not in your default path, run the program with this command:

/usr/bin/vmware-config.pl

To run vmware-config.pl:

1. If you have not already done so, open a terminal window and become root.
   
   
2. Use this command to start the program:
   
   vmware-config.pl
   
   
3. Respond to the prompts. In most cases, the default response is appropriate.

Additional Information

In Workstation 7.x and later, it is possible to re-configure without launching Workstation. Run this command, after upgrading the kernel:

vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

The --console switch tells Workstation not to launch the GUI, and the --install-all switch rebuilds and reinstalls all modules.