Howto install VMware on a Suse 8.0 Multiprocessor host

[Michael James]

Please allow me a little cry of triumph,
 at last I have installed VMware Workstation 3.1.1
 on a Suse 8.0 twin processor host.


Here is what finally worked:

The installation notes say that VMware can't cope with
 the larger 64 Gigabyte memory model run by Suse.

Check the head of /var/log/boot.msg:

>Inspecting /boot/System.map-2.4.18-64GB-SMP
>Loaded 13537 symbols from /boot/System.map-2.4.18-64GB-SMP.
>Symbols match kernel version 2.4.18.
>Loaded 20 symbols from 2 modules.
>klogd 1.4.1, log source = ksyslog started.
><4>Linux version 2.4.18-64GB-SMP (root at SMP_X86.suse.de) (gcc version 2.95.3 20010315 (SuSE)) #1 SMP
>Wed Mar 27 13:58:12 UTC 2002

64GB says 64 Gig memory model

Downgrading the kernel to one with "support for older processors"
 shouldn't affect anything as I've only got 1/2 Gig of RAM so:

Run YAST2 and chose "Software"  "Install/Remove software"

Within group "System/Kernel" deselect "k_smp"
 and select "k_psmp"

While you adding software,
 go to group "Development/Sources"
 and select "kernel-source", you'll need it.

Click "OK" to do the install.

Here's the Window-Clicking-Idiot way to run lilo:
Back to Yast command centre,
 chose "System" and "Bootloader Configuration"
Check "Save current configuration" and click "Finish"

Reboot with crossed fingers.
Back again?  Good.

Now heading /var/log/boot.msg says:

>Inspecting /boot/System.map-2.4.18-4GB-SMP
>Loaded 13437 symbols from /boot/System.map-2.4.18-4GB-SMP.
>Symbols match kernel version 2.4.18.
>Loaded 20 symbols from 2 modules.
>klogd 1.4.1, log source = ksyslog started.
><4>Linux version 2.4.18-4GB-SMP (root at SMP_X86.suse.de) (gcc version 2.95.3 20010315 (SuSE)) #1 SMP W
>ed Mar 27 13:56:04 UTC 2002

Note that "64GB" has changed to "4GB"

The rpm from VMware goes on quietly enough,
 but running vmware-config.pl it says:

>None of VMware Workstation's pre-built vmmon modules is suitable for your
>running kernel.  Do you want this script to try to build the vmmon module for
>your system (you need to have a C compiler installed on your system)? [yes]
>
>What is the location of the directory of C header files that match your running
>kernel? [/usr/src/linux/include]
>
>The directory of kernel headers (version 2.4.18-4GB) does not match your running
>kernel (version 2.4.18-4GB-SMP).  Even if the module were to compile
>successfully, it would not load into the running kernel.


*** This took me most of the day to find ***

cd /usr/src/linux
make cloneconfig
make dep

*** That's the trick! ***

Now run vmware-config.pl again, sweet? Good.


I've got W2K installing And W98 updating
 AND I've still got a machine to work on!
What a piece of software, it's fantastic!

-- 
A right not exercised is a privilege
a privilege not exercised is illegal.

Michael James			michael at james.st
8 Brennan St			Phone: +61 2 6247 2556
Hackett, ACT 2602		Mobile: +61 4 1747 4065
AUSTRALIA			Fax: +61 2 6278 0011