Strange sound with VMWare Workstation

DarkMart

Member
Member
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I tried VMWare Workstation 9 on Windows 8. VMWare Workstation is probably the best choice for an alternative of XP Mode. XP Mode is supported by Windows 7, but I use Windows 8. The sound of my virtual machine (Win XP) is strange, scratchy, distorted... The problem can simply be Windows 8 (it's a new OS), but I'm trying to have an alternative of XP Mode to play old games et use old sofware. Without a good sound, it's not very interesting.

Does anyone have this problem ?

I found something intersting on VMWare's forum : VMware Communities: Audio stuttering on VMware Workstation...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro, Windows 7 Pro
Yes I have that sometimes.
Still a mystery but can be related to underclocked CPU (power plan options) I use, or in general no updated VM tools.

Use 1 CPU for VM's where you test old programs (including games). Seems to work better.

In the link you posted, they say something about the virtual hardware version.
You can upgrade if needed to the latest version 9 in the interface but I use Player and need to edit the VMX file manually.
But sometimes, downgrading is also needed.

See here:
http://www.eightforums.com/virtualization/9433-how-manually-upgrade-vms-vmware-player.html
This applies to Workstation as well.

Use what works best for the needed VM.

Version 9 for the VM:
Code:
virtualHW.version = "9"

Version 8:
Code:
virtualHW.version = "8"

and Version 6.5 - 7:
Code:
virtualHW.version = "7"

Drivers differ between these versions. Older programs may work better with older settings + 1CPU.

Some older games (I already talked about this issue) work bad in a XP VM with tools installed.
Therefore use a Win98 or ME virtual machine and here you can use VM tools (older version 7 is the latest provided in this case + no 3D acceleration, keep in mind).

Hope I mentioned something useful for this case.

Thanks for the link.
 

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.
With VMWare Workstation 9, you can change the version directly by the interface.

I think I solved the issue. I have an onboard audio card (Realtek HD Audio). I'm not sure how I solved this isue, I'm trying to recreate the issue. :p
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro, Windows 7 Pro
Ok what I think I did to solve this issue. Try this if you have the same issue and your have a Realtek HD Audio sound card on your host computer.

I noticed that VMWare Workstation change setting in the vmx file when you eject device and restart the virtual machine.

1) Shutdown the virtual computer.
1) Be sure that the virtual sound card is added.
2) Open the vmx file with NotePad and remove any line that set the sound.virtualDev. No line like : sound.virtualDev = "hdaudio" or sound.virtualDev = "es1371". In my case, I didn't have those lines.
3) Start the virtual computer and eject the sound device in your Guest Windows XP (right click on the icon, right, bottom, on the taskbar).
4) Restart the virtual machine. There is no sound at this moment.
5) Shut down the virtual machine.
6) Open the vmx file with NotePad and add this line : sound.virtualDev = "hdaudio"
7) Start the virtual machine.
8) Shut down the virtual machine.
9) Open the vmx file with NotePad and remove this line : sound.virtualDev = "hdaudio"
10) Start the virtual machine.


If the sound is strange again at this moment, do the same thing but add this line first : sound.virtualDev = "es1371". When you will add sound.virtualDev = "hdaudio", remove sound.virtualDev = "es1371".

I'm testing my virtual machine to be sure that it's solved.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro, Windows 7 Pro
Thanks for the tip.

I didn't modified this yet. Intersting... you can choose from about 3 virtual sound cards to test with.
If there are still other issues, try 24bit sound instead if 16bit CD quality in the VM itself. This was mentioned there on the VMware forum.

I have IDT sound. The pc with Realtek has no issues.
 

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.
Finalement, after 3 or 4 days, this issue is back. :( I used my virtual pc a lot during those 3 days. But I Found another thing : juste open Windows Media Player and play a song...

I hope the next update of VMWare Workstation will fixe this...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro, Windows 7 Pro
Fix what? I have no sound problem with Vmware WS 9, may be if you provide more info about your system, we can see what'S wrong
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
I think this is an issue to be fixed because i'm really not the only one who have this problem with VMWare Workstation.

I use Windows 8 Pro 64 bits on my host computer and my guest os (the one of my virtual pc) is Windows XP. My sound card is integrated on my mother board. My mother board is this one : ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3

The driver of the sound device for is a beta version (for Windows 8 64 bits) so it can be the driver.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro, Windows 7 Pro
I don't install any Asus drivers on my Maximus IV Extreme Z and it work well with the one Windows 8 install, it's a realtek also, probably the same as you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Try to find and manually install (sound) drivers for your host Win8 from catalog.update.microsoft.com/
 

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.
It's clearly a vmware bug. I started to experience it ever since vmware workstation 8.0 onwards. On ALL host and guest operating systems I tested it - hosts: Win2003 server, Win2008, Win7. Guests: all, from XP onwards.
Now I test the latest 9.0.1, still not fixed. Nothing I tried so far seems to cure it. Not even the single-core thing.
Just opening the WMPlayer seems to make it work perfectly Ok in all programs. But few seconds after I close WMP, it starts to stutter badly again.
I'm still using the old 7.1.4 on my main machine just because of this! This is an unacceptable regression after 7.x and I won't be upgrading 7.1.4 at all, I had high hopes for 9.x, but it seems I'll stick with 7.1.4 forever. 8.0 also makes the host OS unstable as hell. Now I will not test 9 long enough to find out if that's improved.
Totally disappointed by vmware with their 8.0 release and now 9. Up to 7.1.4 I was very happy with it, and I use it for ages.
It seems the number 8.0 is evil not only for vmware.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
It's clearly a vmware bug. I started to experience it ever since vmware workstation 8.0 onwards. On ALL host and guest operating systems I tested it - hosts: Win2003 server, Win2008, Win7. Guests: all, from XP onwards.
Now I test the latest 9.0.1, still not fixed. Nothing I tried so far seems to cure it. Not even the single-core thing.
Just opening the WMPlayer seems to make it work perfectly Ok in all programs. But few seconds after I close WMP, it starts to stutter badly again.
I'm still using the old 7.1.4 on my main machine just because of this! This is an unacceptable regression after 7.x and I won't be upgrading 7.1.4 at all, I had high hopes for 9.x, but it seems I'll stick with 7.1.4 forever. 8.0 also makes the host OS unstable as hell. Now I will not test 9 long enough to find out if that's improved.
Totally disappointed by vmware with their 8.0 release and now 9. Up to 7.1.4 I was very happy with it, and I use it for ages.
It seems the number 8.0 is evil not only for vmware.

I want them (VMware) to fully switch to x64 builds as they do it on Linux (here they had no syswow64 to become lazy and rely on it). Those hybrid versions they make for Windows are inferior to their Linux versions of the same version and inferior to Hyper-V and VirtualBox even if they have better features. We need fully integration and native compatibility.

Why is the program made in x86 if itself requires (during install) x64 in the first place?

Well the main reason for this: the interface doesn't need to be x64 the core itself is enough.
A 64 bit interface will use a few megabytes more (wow! but we have enough memory for that I assume).

I like VMPlayer as well, running happily on vmx 9.0.1 but the sound issues you got are known here as well.
Your so-called evil 8 was just the beginning: it 9 you should be aware of. Because vmx 9 got extended from 8.

The fact that our XP and 2003 machines work bad speaking of sound is because the development was focused on Server 2012 and Win8 machines and the exaggerated nested Hyper-V support (who runs that in a VMware VM anyway?).

Anyway I still think they'll get it fixed in one of the upcoming releases, I'm quite positive , we'll just have to wait and see.
 

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.
Well, WS8 and 9 look just about the same, that's true, and they surely follow an incremental update plan as well.
I don't care if their management program is x32, I want 9, or whatever after v7.1.4, to at least behave as well as the 7.1.4 version.
They clearly made something fatally wrong with it.
I'm sceptic about whether they will fix it in an upcommng release. I was hoping to see this fixed in the 3 or 4 revisions in the 8.0 branch.

Yes, the thing with nested hyper-v is ridiculous. Also they shouldn't touch anything related to older guest OSes when implementing support for Win8. It's just desperating how good programs turn into junk because of junk new operating systems.
M*tro in Win server 2012?! Come on. I'm about to turn a tablet into a server :) ... The 8.0 number marks the beginning of the decline of whole platforms being once the best in their class, unfortunately.

As to virtualbox - I have this too. It is inferior in almost every aspect. The graphic performance is terrible compared to vmware's. The network management is a bit inferior too.
After we saw 8.0 for the first time, there were about 7 revisions in total if my memory serves me well. 3 or 4 in 8.0, and 2 or 3 in 9. Nothing makes me think positively on the resolution of this issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
Yes. Compared to version 7, the 8 received only 4 revisions and the 9 just one (but this one is still early).
Just like the production of Win8, they rushed the release date. That's even noticeable if you read the change-log of 9.0.0.
(Something about the easy install feature not being able to detect Server 2012 because MS released RTM after the release of Workstation).

I agree. VBox is still way behind with features and graphics but I like they pull it of nicely and no sound issues are made.
Still, the GUI looks pretty bad on Win8.

32 or 64 is not important as you say but one day in the future they'll have to get it done.
That's not so important now because what they do works on 64.

But I hope someone notices the sound bug and they begin working on it. :)
Doesn't look to be a major issue.
 

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.
DarkMart ==> Have you managed to permanently resolve this?

I'm having the same issue with XP virtual machines on VMWare v8 or v9 when running under Windows 8. The SAME machine running on VMWare under Windows 7 works perfectly; but when run on a Windows 8 host the sound is very "scratchy". A Vista or Windows 7 virtual machine on the same VMWare host under Windows 8 works perfectly -- so this only impacts XP.

It would really be nice to get this resolved -- I plan to try the process you outlined in an earlier post; but I also noticed that it didn't permanently resolve it, as the issue came back in a few days. Just curious if you've found a good solution to this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
... by the way, I also tried the same virtual machines (both XP and Windows 7 VM's) on the latest version of VMWare Player with the same results ==> the Windows 7 VM works perfectly regardless of whether the host is Windows 7 or Windows 8; the XP machine works perfectly with a Windows 7 host; but has unacceptable "scratchy" sound under a Windows 8 host.

It would REALLY be nice to get this resolved !!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
The sound is really annoying on XP 64 but it happens mostly with system sounds (can be disabled) and didn't happened with other sound programs... sometimes.

Other things worth a try is by changing the default sound card:
sound.png
This is a portion of VM Tweaker that allows you to customize detailed VM settings.
You also find a help file on the site.

I still didn't tested the sound part but will do when I get the chance.

That's all I can say.
 

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.
The various options in VM Tweaker don't help -- BUT I did discover something very interesting in the process of trying various things. IF Windows Media Player is running, the sound works perfectly !!! For example, if you stream a video from Yahoo, the sound will be very distorted ("scratchy"). But if you load Media Player -- you do NOT have to play anything with it, just load it -- and then stream the same video from Yahoo it will play perfectly !! The hardware version of the virtual machine doesn't matter -- I've tried this with v6, v7, v8, and v9 virtual machines and they all behave the same !!

As I noted already, Vista or Win7 VM's work perfectly; the issue is only with XP VMs and then only when running under a Windows 8 host => the SAME version of VMWare running under Windows 7 does not have this problem !!

Definitely STRANGE. I've also rebuilt an XP VM from scratch under VMWare v9 running on Windows 8, just to be sure this wasn't something strange about the migration process -- but that VM has the exact same issue !!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Thanks for the info: after considering all that, it seems to be a glitch in the VM tools of XP.

We'll see if the next Player update fixes that or not. (Fingers crossed)
 

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.
The workaround with the Media Player was mentioned by me in the earlier post on that page:) . I discovered this too, after countless hours of troubleshooting. But having WMP constantly open in the background is not an option, clearly.
By the way this happens to me with older HOST OS-es as well (Win2003/2008/7) - I even don't have Win8 installed on this machine.

It's either XP and older are completely ignored by vmware already (and we'll never see an update to this problem), or we'll see an update that addresses this after a decade :) . I'm so pessimistic.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 x64
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