Re: [gentoo-amd64] [100% OFF TOPIC] Where does one learn about running vmware under Gentoo?

[Paul Hartman]

On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 10:21 AM, Mark Knecht <markknecht@×××××.com> wrote:
> Thanks Paul.
>
> On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 8:16 AM, Paul Hartman
> <paul.hartman+gentoo@×××××.com> wrote:
>> On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 9:54 AM, Mark Knecht <markknecht@×××××.com> wrote:
>>> I've wanted to ask this for a while. I've never seen vmware running.
>>> I'm curious about running a few Windows apps on my AMD64 machine, if
>>> possible. Does stuff like sound work? I don't need any special
>>> hardware. (I think) Just disk, graphics and network.
>>>
>>> How well does this work? vmware seems to have a good reputation. What
>>> are the Open Source alternatives?
>>>
>>> If someone has a good pointer to something that walks a newbie through
>>> setting this up and running Win XP then that would be cool. I have XP
>>> licenses if necessary.
>>
>> It's easy. If your CPU supports virtualization, make sure it is
>> enabled in your BIOS settings and the virtual machine will run at
>> nearly full speed (given sufficient RAM).
>
> Are there any flags in /proc/cpuinfo that show this? The processors is
> a 4 year old AMD64. Likely or not?

On Intel CPUs it is VMX. I think AMD calls it SVM or something like
that. Even if you don't have it, VMWare still runs very well. My
brother has an Athlon 3400 or so and runs Vista in a VMWare and it
works fine...

> Also, is this a requirement to make it work, or just makes it work better?

Just makes it work better.

>> Just emerge the version of
>> your choice (I suggest using the vmware overlay fort this). I think
>> vmware-server vmware-server-console are still free. If you don't use
>> bleeding-edge kernels, it's even easier. VMWare is one of those
>> closed-source programs with kernel modules that gets broken every time
>> there's a new kernel released.
>>
>> Yes, I think sound and everything works in the free vmware-server
>> except for hotplugging USB devices. In vmware-workstation (commercial
>> product), plugging in USB devices work (so you can run itunes in
>> vmware and sync your ipod to it, for example). There is VERY minimal
>> directx/3D support but it's so bad it might as well not even exist. So
>> it'll be a 2D-only windows box (no fancy gaming will happen).
>>
>
> That's OK, but it does raise the question about USB license dongles
> which one program I have requires. If I get things working at all I
> guess I can test that or ask back at that time.

If that's the case then you may want to consider trying the
alternatives to see if they have USB support (or consider purchasing
VMWare Workstation, but it's not cheap, around 150-200 USD if I recall
correctly). Or see if you can find a crack for the program to disable
the dongle check.