Mouse cursor and networking stops working after installing VMware Tools on a Windows virtual machine converted from Microsoft Virtual Server or Virtual PC

Products

• VMware
• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

After installing VMware Tools on a Windows virtual machine converted from Microsoft Virtual Server or Virtual PC, you experience these symptoms:

• Your mouse cursor disappears or stops working properly.
• Networking fails at speeds over 10 Mbps.

Resolution

This problem is caused by the Microsoft Virtual Add-Ons (or Additions) that are installed in the virtual machine.

There are two methods that can be used to resolve the issues:

To remove Microsoft Virtual Add-Ons (or Additions):

1. Uninstall VMware Tools from the virtual machine (if it is installed).
2. Uninstall the Microsoft Virtual Add-Ons (or Additions) from the virtual machine.
3. Reboot the virtual machine.
4. Reinstall VMware Tools.

To resolve mouse and networking issues without removing Microsoft Virtual Add-Ons (or Additions):

1. Uninstall VMware Tools from the virtual machine (if it is installed).
2. Open a command prompt. For more information, see Opening a command or shell prompt (1003892).
3. Remove the msvmmouf data value from the registry:
   
   Note: Before making any registry modifications, ensure that you have a current and valid backup of the registry and the virtual machine. For more information on backing up and restoring the registry, see the Microsoft article 136393.
   
   
1. Take a full backup of the registry prior to editing it. Do not skip this step.
2. Click Start > Run, type regedit, and press Enter. The Registry Editor window opens.
3. Locate this key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96F-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
   
   
4. Right-click the key and select Export to save a backup copy. You can use this copy to restore the registry key.
5. Right-click the key value that is storing the msvmmouf data value and select Modify.
6. Remove msvmmouf and click OK.
   
   
4. Reboot the virtual machine.
5. Reinstall VMware Tools.

If issues persist, gather the VMware Support Script Data and file a support request with VMware Support noting this KB article ID (1002239) in the problem description. For more information, see Collecting diagnostic information for VMware products (1008524) and How to Submit a Support Request.