If you use an existing VMware GSX Server 1 virtual machine under VMware GSX Server 3, the virtual hardware is upgraded automatically. The upgrade gives you access to new features, but the process is one-way — you cannot reverse it.
Start by using an existing configuration file (.vmx or .cfg) and virtual disk (.dsk or .vmdk).
The first time you power on the virtual machine under GSX Server 3, a dialog box appears, offering the choice of upgrading the virtual hardware or powering off. If you want to make a backup copy of the virtual machine before upgrading the virtual hardware, power off and make the backup. Otherwise, allow VMware GSX Server to upgrade the virtual hardware. See Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the Guest Operating System below.
Note: If you are upgrading a virtual machine that runs from a physical disk, rather than a virtual disk, you may see the following error message while VMware GSX Server is upgrading the virtual hardware: “Unable to upgrade <drivename>.
One of the supplied parameters is invalid.” You may safely ignore the error message, then click OK to continue the upgrade process.
Upgrade VMware Tools to the new version following the instructions for your guest operating system in Installing VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide. You should not remove the older version of VMware Tools before installing the new version.
Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the Guest Operating System
After upgrading the virtual hardware, you may need to take several steps to be sure the new virtual hardware is recognized properly by the guest operating system. If you are using a Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me virtual machine created under VMware GSX Server 1, take the steps listed under the name of your guest operating system.
If you are using other guest operating systems, you do not need to take these special steps. Plug and Play should recognize the new virtual hardware and install any needed drivers smoothly.
In any case, you should verify the guest operating system selection in the virtual machine settings editor. See Check Guest Operating System Selection on page 106.
Windows Me Guest
The following steps provide examples of what you may see as your guest operating system recognizes the new virtual hardware. The specific steps may vary, depending on the configuration of the virtual machine.
1. Power on the virtual machine.
2. Allow GSX Server to upgrade the virtual hardware.
3. Click OK to dismiss the message “A legacy SVGA driver has been detected.”
4. Several Plug and Play messages appear. You can safely ignore them.
5. Log on to Windows Me. More Plug and Play messages appear. One refers to the VMware SVGA driver. You can ignore these messages until you are prompted to restart the guest operating system.
Click Yes to restart your virtual machine.
6. Log on to Windows Me. The SVGA driver is not working properly.
7. From the Windows Start menu, choose Settings > Control Panel > System >
Device Manager > Display Adapters.
Manually remove the two SVGA drivers.
8. Restart the Windows guest.
A VMware SVGA II adapter is detected and Windows installs it.
Windows notifies you to restart your computer.
Click Yes.
9. The SVGA driver should now be working correctly.
10. Install the new version of VMware Tools. See Installing VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide for details.
Windows 98 Guest
The following steps provide examples of what you may see as your guest operating system recognizes the new virtual hardware. The specific steps may vary, depending on the configuration of the virtual machine.
1. Power on the virtual machine.
2. Allow GSX Server to rename the virtual disk with the .vmdk extension.
3. Allow GSX Server to upgrade the virtual hardware.
4. Click OK to dismiss the message “A legacy SVGA driver has been detected.”
5. Log on to Windows 98. You see a number of Plug and Play messages. You may need to insert your Windows 98 installation CD.
6. Windows asks for the Pcimp.pci file. Enter C:\Windows\System as the location.
7. Windows detects an Intel 82371EB PCI to ISA bridge (ISA mode). Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver or select automatic detection.
8. Windows detects an Intel 82371ES Power Management Controller. Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver or select automatic detection.
9. Windows detects a PS/2 compatible mouse port. Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver.
10. Windows detects the COM port. Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver.
11. Windows detects a printer port. Browse for the Lpt.vxd file.
12. Windows detects an Intel 82443Bx Pentium(r) II Processor to PCI bridge (with GART support). Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver.
13. Windows detects a Standard Dual PCI IDE Controller. Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver.
14. Windows detects an Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller. Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver.
15. Windows detects an AMD PCNET Family Ethernet Adapter (PCI-ISA). Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver.
16. Windows asks for the location of the serialui.dll driver. Enter C:\Windows\System as the location.
17. Restart the Windows guest.
18. The SVGA driver should now be working correctly.
19. Install the new version of VMware Tools. See Installing VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide for details.
Windows 95 Guest
The following steps provide examples of what you may see as your guest operating system recognizes the new virtual hardware. The specific steps may vary, depending on the configuration of the virtual machine.
1. Power on the virtual machine.
2. Allow GSX Server to upgrade the virtual hardware.
3. Click OK to dismiss the message “A legacy SVGA driver has been detected.”
4. Log on to Windows 95.
You see a number of Plug and Play messages. Click Cancel for those listing the Standard host CPU bridge, PCI bridge and PCI Universal bus devices.
5. The SVGA driver is not working properly.
6. From the Windows Start menu, choose Settings > Control Panel > System >
Device Manager > Display Adapters. Manually remove the SVGA driver.
7. Restart the Windows guest.
8. Again, you see a number of Plug and Play messages. Click Cancel for those listing the Standard host CPU bridge, PCI bridge and PCI Universal bus devices.
9. Windows detects and installs the VMware SVGA II adapter.
10. Restart Windows 95.
11. Once again, you see a number of Plug and Play messages. Again, click Cancel for those listing the Standard host CPU bridge, PCI bridge and PCI Universal bus devices.
12. The SVGA driver should now be working correctly.
13. Install the new version of VMware Tools. See Installing VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide for details.
Check Guest Operating System Selection
Some operating systems, such as Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000, have multiple versions. Verify your guest operating system is set to the specific version of the operating system installed in the virtual machine. Check the setting in the virtual machine settings editor (choose VM > Settings > Options).
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