Cannot install VMware Tools because a virtual machine's CD-ROM drive is not attached to the VM

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptom:

• Error seen while trying to install VMware Tools on the VM.
  
  Steps :  Right Click on the VM > Guest OS > Install VMware Tools.
  
  Error upgrading VMware Tools. vix error code = 21002 The guest operating system does not have a device configured for the VMware Tools installation to use This virtual machine does not have a CD-ROM drive configured. A virtual machine must have a CD-ROM drive configured for this option to work.
  
  

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

• VMware Tools installer is stored as ISO images on the physical host, which the hypervisor must virtually "insert" into the VM’s CD/DVD drive to make the files visible to the Guest OS. Without a functional CD/DVD device attached, the operating system has no hardware interface to mount and run the installation media.

Resolution

• Follow below steps to attach CD/DVD Drive on the VM - 

1. 1. Select the a virtual machine (VM) in the inventory.
      
      
   2. Right click on the VM and select Edit Settings.
      
      
   3. Select [ADD NEW DEVICE] and select the [CD/DVD Drive] under [Disk, Driver and Storage].
      
      
      
      
   4. Once completed, again right click on the VM and select [Guest OS] > [Install VMware Tools...]