Ensuring the correct Guest Operating System is selected (1003912)

  Symptoms

• VMware Tools for Windows Installation errors before completion.
• VMware Tools for Windows Installation fails to complete.
• Unable to complete VMware Tools for Windows Installation.
• Unable to install a 64bit operating system.
• 64bit virtual machine installation fails.
• Installation of 64bit operating system stops responding at the Setup is starting Windows dialog.
• The following errors are in the vmware.log file located in the directory of the virtual machine:
  
  • Implementing mediaChange workaround.
  • VMM64 initialized.
    
    
• In the vmkernel log, you see entries similar to:
  
  vmkernel: 0:16:46:02.178 cpu3:1116)WARNING: World: vm 1116: 6012: vmm0:W2K3EE:vcpu-0:This virtual machine has tried
  to execute an invalid part of memory. It is possible that the virtual disk or CD media you are using is not bootable or that a program or dr

64bit-os-installation-fails incorrect-guest-os install-64bit-os install-fails install-vmware-tools upgrade-fails upgrade-vmware-tools vmware-tools

Resolution

Without the correct operating system being selected you are unable to install VMware Tools or a install a specific operating system.

The selected operating system can be checked by connecting to the ESX/ESXi host your virtual machine resides on, or alternatively your vCenter Server, with the vSphere Client.

To check your selected operating system:

1. Select the virtual machine you are trying to install tools in from the inventory.
2. Right-click on the virtual machine and and click Edit Settings.
3. Click Options.
4. Ensure that the correct guest operating system is selected.
   An example of the settings page is shown below with Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition 64bit as the guest operating system.
   
   
   
5. Click OK.

Note: The VMware Tools ISO image that is loaded when you select Install/Upgrade VMware Tools is decided by the guest operating system selected here.
Note: If you want to install an operating system, ensure that you have selected the same version that you are installing. These are listed in the drop down list.

For example, choose Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (64-bit) rather than Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition if the version you are installing is 64-bit, otherwise the installation will fail and/or VMware Tools will not install.