VMware Tools update fails

[eager]

When I start a virtual machine, I get a popup telling me that a new version of VMware Tools (version 8.8.2) is available.  If I click to download, the update proceeds for a while then stops with an error box saying that there was a problem updating the component.

As far as I can tell, I have VMware Tools 8.8.2 installed.  How can I suppress this popup?

Running VMware 8.0.3 on Linux CentOS 5.8.

[mfelker · Accepted solution]

With the machine powered off go to the edit -> preferences -> updates and and uncheck both "check boxes".  This should  do it.

[eager]

Thanks!   I turned off "Check for software components" and that prevented the popup.

[FrankatWork]

I am having this same problem.  The issue I have with the proposed solution is that I _do_ want that check to happen.

After reviewing the logs, I found this in the ui log (coloring is mine).

2012-06-04T09:11:16.109-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Bulletin payload file relative to metadata: https://softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop + ws/8.0.3/703057/linux/packages + vmware-tools-windows-8.8.2-703057.x86_64.component.tar = https://softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop/ws/8.0.3/703057/linux/packages/vmware-tools-window...

2012-06-04T09:11:16.110-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Download job file exists. Skipping download.

2012-06-04T09:11:17.041-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Final checksum is '670b826bcd2b94b8407c0288c6532ad70e25bba06abfdcf48852ce9b341f30c4' ?= '670b826bcd2b94b8407c0288c6532ad70e25bba06abfdcf48852ce9b341f30c4'

2012-06-04T09:11:17.041-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Checksum verification succeeded for 8a108e83-5a67-43f2-966c-993d87be33e7.

2012-06-04T09:11:17.807-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: TarProcessData: Finished writing /tmp/vmware-f.gruman-3100680262/cdstmp_tools-windows_8.8.2_703057/vmware-tools-windows-8.8.2-703057.x86_64.component (50230696 bytes)

2012-06-04T09:11:17.807-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: TarProcessData: Finished writing /tmp/vmware-f.gruman-3100680262/cdstmp_tools-windows_8.8.2_703057/descriptor.xml (1156 bytes)

2012-06-04T09:11:17.808-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: CdsUnpackJobUpdateFunc: Unpack job is complete

2012-06-04T09:11:17.809-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Cds_SearchBulletins: Searching for product=ws-linux version=(latest) build=0

2012-06-04T09:11:17.869-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: No cached version for vmware-workstation

2012-06-04T09:11:17.870-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Cds_SearchBulletins: Searching for product=fusion version=(latest) build=0

2012-06-04T09:11:17.870-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Cds_SearchBulletins: Searching for product=fusion-mas version=(latest) build=0

2012-06-04T09:11:17.870-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Found package handler for bulletin mime-type vmware/vmis-component

2012-06-04T09:11:17.929-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Host is using VMIS

2012-06-04T09:11:17.930-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS error: Cannot proceed with install. Your copy of the VMware Installer is too old. Please install a new build.

2012-06-04T09:11:17.931-05:00| vmui| I120: OnAbort: jobID=2 cancelled=0 error=There was a problem updating a software component. Try again later and if the problem persists, contact VMware Support or your system administrator.

2012-06-04T09:11:17.951-05:00| vmui| I120: ProcessDoneAbort: mOnAbort - jobID=2 cancelled=0 error=There was a problem updating a software component. Try again later and if the problem persists, contact VMware Support or your system administrator.

2012-06-04T09:11:17.952-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Aborting bulletin 8a108e83-5a67-43f2-966c-993d87be33e7

2012-06-04T09:11:17.952-05:00| vmui| I120: CDS: Bulletin has no jobs and install abort failed with CDS_BULLETIN_NOT_DOWNLOADING_ERROR

I am currently running a 64-bit Linux host system:

vmware-installer -l

Product Name         Product Version    

==================== ====================

vmware-workstation   8.0.3.703057

Any other ideas apart from disabling the check?

Regards,

Frank

[mfelker]

I think you can check for the updates manually on the same screen that disables the prompt.  However I would probably download the  Tools .iso,  mount and install them from there  There is a link to the iso somewhere on this forum - perhaps somebody can post it.

[FrankatWork]

Although you _can_ check for the updates manually, as you suggest, the result is still the same.  The error regarding the invalid VMWare Installer version continues.

I went so far as to completely uninstall the vmware workstation product (including settings) and then reinstall.  At first launch I still get the above error.

FWIW, I have verified that the tools running in the guest VMs that startup are the latest version (i.e. they match the version reported to be downloading, 8.8.2 in this case).  So - other than these check boxes on the VM, what flag tells VMware that the tools cached locally need to be updated?

Regards,

Frank

[mfelker]

Somebody else reported that the messages about VMware Tools neediing to be updated when they are aleady at the proper version. This seems like a bug to me Since uninstalling the entire product didn't work. Have you tried locating teh VMware Tools iso??

[galgitron]

VMWare, please provide a link to windows.iso for Workstation 7.1.6.  Your msi isn't working so don't give us a link for the windows.exe.tar file, we need a direct link to the ISO file.

[galgitron]

this always happens to me.... Right after I posted, I realized I could just install the tools-windows-8.8.4.exe file 'in' a working virtual machine, copy the resultant windows.iso to the host, and mount it to the virtual machines I need to update the tools of...duh 

Still, I think VMWare should indicate a download web page for these files (drivers and tools tab in the workstation download screen perhaps?)

[galgitron]

Also, this didn't help

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&docTypeID=DT_KB_1_1&e...

nor this

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1308