Workstation 8 - Host Startup Very Slow

[chuckk9032]

There have been a number of issues posted for Workstation 8.  On a Windows 7 64-bit host, we're seeing very long host startup times, especially starting from the Windows logon screen as well as slow responses on Outlook.  The problem immediately is solved by reverting back to Workstation 7.

[kasper]

http://communities.vmware.com/message/1406660#1406660

Same issue as version 7 - look at the proxy setting.

I personal set the 'check for udpates' to manual.

Stan

[chuckk9032]

Thanks.  Good tip, but the issue is the startup of the host, not VMware.  When Worlstation 8 is installed, Windows 6 64-bit startup time is dramatically longer.  VMware Workstation 8 does not start automatically.  Reverting back to Workstation 7 solves the problem.

[kasper]

Ok. Here is what I would do.

Get process monitor / process explorer from MS.

Install VMWare 8.

Then set all the VMWare services to manual start.

Restart. Run Process Explorer/monitor.

Now manually start the VMWare services and watch

what is happening.

My guess is that it is still some sort of networking issue.

Stan

[rsgeiger]

I have the same issue.  With Workstation 8, it costs almost a minute extra for all the networking services to propperly start.  I did notice that I had a bad proxy setting, so hopefully cleaning that out will make things better (cant test it right now). Will also check the delayed start services to see if anything has changed and report back here.

[continuum]

do not forget to disable the phone-home features

[rsgeiger]

Thanks for the tip, but I'm not 100% sure what settings you are refering to.  If it is just software updates, I've unchecked all boxes.  If there are other settings I would like to know about them

[continuum]

installerDefaults.autoSoftwareUpdateEnabled = "no"
installerDefaults.componentDownloadEnabled = "no"
installerDefaults.dataCollectionEnabled = "no"

those are options for the config.ini

[kasper]

Go to edit / preferences / Updates / Connection settings

check 'no proxy'.

[chuckk9032]

Problem solved or at least worked around.  Disabling the installed VMWare Network Adapters (VMnetx) restored fast boot time for the host.  I don't use these anyway.

[kasper]

Well, if you narrowed the issue down to the network then you

may want to do the following:

- Fully review the network configuration on the physical PC, ie

DNS, gateway, mask, etc.

- Update firmware of NIC

- Update driver of NIC

- Review network configure of your router. Look for possible

DHCP conflicts.

And again, make sure the auto update proxy in VMWare workstation

is turned off.

Stan

[rsgeiger]

There are allot of good tips here but unfortunatly nothing is preventing the slowdown.

I have:

Disabled all VM Ware addaptors

Disabled automatic updating

Disabled all proxy checks and special settings both in VMware and Windows.

The behavior has been that I perform one of the tweaks, and on the first reboot the issue seems resolved, but after a few more the latency is just as strong.  I cannot track it down to any particular service or function.

So if there are any other ideas, I'm all ears.

[continuum]

do you have a very long list of VMs in the inventory ?
are they all present ?

[rsgeiger]

I have 7 VMs on a local hard drive, so I dont think it is that long.  I have closed all tabs as well.