vmware player 4 (free) now out - - Windows 8 WORKS as vm

jimbo45

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Hi all
to those who don't want to shell out dollars for a purchase or upgrade of vmware workstation version 8 the FREE latest version of vmware PLAYER (version 4) works just fine.

Note however that while you CAN create vm's you don't get the full features of the paid for work station product such as "Cloning", "snapshots", Teams etc etc.

For testing current version of W8 this might not be a drawback to a lot of people so if you like using vm's under vmware the latest version of vmware player is just fine too --- did another install just recently of W8 so I have one under Esxi and another as a guest on W7 x-64.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Wow, been waiting for a newer version for ages. Been stuck at 3.14 since march. :rolleyes:

Where's the link for it? All I see is 3.14 still....

Did you get it through the programs updater?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    LCARS
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Monkey Trainer Extraordinaire
    CPU
    My toilet habits are a private matter, thanks.
    Motherboard
    She finds stuff to do.
    Memory
    Not that I can recall.
    Graphics Card(s)
    XXX rated
    Sound Card
    Huh?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitors are lizards.
    Screen Resolution
    I haven't found one yet.
    Hard Drives
    Sure isn't easy driving.
    PSU
    Again, toilet habits are a private matter.
    Case
    Pending
    Cooling
    2 ice cubes.
    Keyboard
    Nar, it has other key friends.
    Mouse
    Cat
    Internet Speed
    Warp 9.9
Yep, not sure where you're getting it at. Even checked for updates within 3.14 - No updates available.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    LCARS
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Monkey Trainer Extraordinaire
    CPU
    My toilet habits are a private matter, thanks.
    Motherboard
    She finds stuff to do.
    Memory
    Not that I can recall.
    Graphics Card(s)
    XXX rated
    Sound Card
    Huh?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitors are lizards.
    Screen Resolution
    I haven't found one yet.
    Hard Drives
    Sure isn't easy driving.
    PSU
    Again, toilet habits are a private matter.
    Case
    Pending
    Cooling
    2 ice cubes.
    Keyboard
    Nar, it has other key friends.
    Mouse
    Cat
    Internet Speed
    Warp 9.9
I cant find anything on the vmware site about this :(

Do you have a link Jimbo?

Yep, not sure where you're getting it at. Even checked for updates within 3.14 - No updates available.

Agreed the vmware site requires you to log in or register to be able to download the latest version and 3.14 was the latest version available.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x 2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My own abomination, I call it the Money Pit
    CPU
    Intel i7 2600K @ 3.40 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth P67
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Dual Channel Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 ULTRA GAMING 10GB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek or Nvidia High Definition Audio (HDMI)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung JS7000 50" SUHD TV or Samsung 27" FHD 60Hz 8ms GTG VA LED Smart Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 870 EVO 250 GB SSD (Windows 10 Pro), 1 x Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB SSD (Windows 10 Pro)
    PSU
    Corsair AX860 - 860W Modular Power Supply
    Case
    Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Full Tower Case - Black
    Cooling
    CORSAIR Hydro Series H150i PRO RGB 360mm Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech K830 Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    10/100/1000 Mbps capable
    Browser
    (Primary) Latest Firefox version & Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
    Other Info
    LG Super Multi Blue Internal Blu-ray Disk Rewriter - BH10LS30
    6x2 HDMI Switcher (6 inputs, 2 outputs) so I can send the output of my Cable Box, Roku, or any my 4 computers to either my TV or Monitor separately or simultaneously.
Think it's only available through vmware workstation 8. It's included in there, but there is no stand alone vmware player 4 available at this time yet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    LCARS
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Monkey Trainer Extraordinaire
    CPU
    My toilet habits are a private matter, thanks.
    Motherboard
    She finds stuff to do.
    Memory
    Not that I can recall.
    Graphics Card(s)
    XXX rated
    Sound Card
    Huh?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Monitors are lizards.
    Screen Resolution
    I haven't found one yet.
    Hard Drives
    Sure isn't easy driving.
    PSU
    Again, toilet habits are a private matter.
    Case
    Pending
    Cooling
    2 ice cubes.
    Keyboard
    Nar, it has other key friends.
    Mouse
    Cat
    Internet Speed
    Warp 9.9
Hi all
Made a small error

It's included in the vmware workstation package

But if you download the trial you can get it .

as a long time user of vmware I went for the full upgrade and it's in there.

It should be available soon via stand alone download.

I'm not sure if the vmware player included expires when the trial does -- if it doesn't then grab the trial.

However to re-assure those vmplayer 4 DOES work with W8.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
How come VMPlayer works but not VMServer?

I tried it on VM Server and it booted fine then crashes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    CP
Hi there
vmserver l has an OLDER code base than vmware 7.1 so it won't work until vmware server code base is updated.
I'm afraid at the moment as far as vmware is concerned you have to use vmware workstation 8 or wait until the stand alone version of vmplayer V4 is released.

I wouldn't hold out much hope of seeing an updated version of vmware server since the emphasis is on using ESXi (also free) but it's a bit fiddly to get Esxi to work --you need at least a white box and a compatable network card --the Intel PRO ones usually work.

I suspect that vmware server is on its way to being phased out now in any case.

You CAN run ESxi as a virtual machine but then having another virtual machine on this rather reduces performance to nothing better than just a POC (Proff of concept) that W8 will actually boot and start.



Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
With Server, W7 is not listed as the OS to based your install on so i used Vista and it works (not that i think it matters), so i expected W8 to work but it seems something in the iso is preventing it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    CP
Hi there
you CANNOT use any version of vmware earlier than 8.0, vmware server or vmplayer earlier than version 4.

You *might* get it to work on Virtual Box --don't know as I haven't tried.

the OS installs from the ISO installs just fine.

Just set your vm up to "Windows 7" and tick "I will install the OS later.
define the disk drive sizes and click the "I will install the OS later".

set the ISO you have created to a Virtual ISO if you are not using a physical ISO of the W7 image.

The Downloaded ISO mounts fine as a DVD drive in the VM.

Set the VM to boot up from the DVD device and simply power it on.

Install the W8 as you did W7 or any other OS

If it asks for a serial number just skip --it shouldn't but some people get the prompt.

Then about 10 - 15 mins later the OS is installed and you should be able to boot it.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
My VMWare Player updated to v4 this morning. Install Win8 as win7 but don't do the automatic install. Create the VM then attach the ISO and fire up the machine. It installed fine and the guest additions can be installed also.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 SP1 Home Premium/Win 8.1 in VBox
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hewlett-Packard/G62 Notebook
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 330 @ 2.13GHz
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 1425
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Builtin
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    2TB Seagate GoFlex USB 2 Drive
    1TB Iomega Prestige USB 2 Drive
    1.5TB Iomega Prestige USB 2 Drive (Samsung)
    1TB Iomega NAS.
    Mouse
    Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    20Mb/sec
There is a link:
For those who want player 4 standalone try this post:

VMware Communities: Getting VMWare Player 4 working
(hope it's still valid)

The first link shows vmware player 4 + the tools all tar-zipped exes. It is the official site and worked for me.
The tools silently install, they don't give any confirmation but work well.

Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
If you don't download the tools separately Player will download only the ones needed for the current machine when you create it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64 SP1 Home Premium/Win 8.1 in VBox
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hewlett-Packard/G62 Notebook
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 330 @ 2.13GHz
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 1425
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Builtin
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    2TB Seagate GoFlex USB 2 Drive
    1TB Iomega Prestige USB 2 Drive
    1.5TB Iomega Prestige USB 2 Drive (Samsung)
    1TB Iomega NAS.
    Mouse
    Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    20Mb/sec
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