VMware Workstation (Multi-Brand) Bios Installer

Discussion in 'MDL Projects and Applications' started by searchengine, Oct 21, 2009.

  1. searchengine

    searchengine Guest

    vm workstation v8 final...

    apparently x32bit users (myself included) have no problems using the present VMware Workstation|Player (Multi-Brand) Bios Installer patcher on vm workstation v8 final... but x64bit users are having difficulties.

    one reason x64bit users have this problem is because v8 has introduced an additional copy of "vmware-vmx.exe" that requires to be patched, which at first glance appears easy enough to remedy, and I rigged up dummy x64 bit folders and files in my 32bit OS to test patch, and all was OK... however, tests in x64 live systems failed.

    I have now dual booted between 32 & 64bit system, to see for myself what's going on in x64bit OS

    strangely, the file permissions require the patching to be done from an elevated command to apply successfully in x64bit OS.

    anyway, I was discontinueing project support, just prior to release of vmware v8, but I will update the patcher to work in versions 6,7,and 8 32+64bit and update bios files to bld 339.

    this will not happen overnight, but it will happen.
     
  2. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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    #562 sebus, Sep 18, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2011
    Yes, on x64 system Workstation installs:

    "C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-vmx.exe"

    as well as

    "C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\x64\vmware-vmx.exe"


    Patching (by hand created & replaced BIOS) only the one in x64 folder results in SLIC_ToolKit_V3.2 showing correct slic.
    I did not test it on live VM install (just used WinPE iso for quick boot)

    So it looks like "C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-vmx.exe" is not used on x64 system (hence no need to patch), one can rename the fiile(s) to ie .backup & all works fine

    sebus
     
  3. woebetide

    woebetide MDL Member

    May 28, 2007
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    Modded the 339 bios manually with Asus slic2.1 and installed Windows 8 in workstation 8!
    Working nice!!!
     
  4. highend

    highend MDL Junior Member

    Oct 5, 2008
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    Is there a step by step howto to accomplish this (for the x86 and x64 vmware-vmx.exe's) with any (Dell, Acer, ...) slic? :worthy:
     
  5. Jay69V

    Jay69V MDL Member

    Apr 6, 2010
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    The step are easy :

    1°) Run the VMBIOS_Selector_v315m.exe then --> now the vmware-vmx.exe in the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation was patched.
    2°) Rename the vmware-vmx.exe in the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-vmxP.exe
    3°) Copy the file C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\x64\vmware-vmx.exe in the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-vmx.exe
    4°) Run again the VMBIOS_Selector_v315m.exe then to pacth the X64bit folder--> now the vmware-vmx.exe in the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation was patched.
    5°) Now move and replace the file patch C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-vmx.exe to the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\x64\
    6°) Finally Rename the vmware-vmxP.exe in the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-vmx.exe
    7°) Vmware is patch and you must avec the Bios 315 in all VM but you can't Run Windows Developper Preview because the bios don't have the ACPI 2.0 extension add in the bios 339.

    We have to wait but it will come soon I think, I hope if you had needed help I would be this..
    :p
     
  6. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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  7. Jay69V

    Jay69V MDL Member

    Apr 6, 2010
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    #567 Jay69V, Sep 18, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
  8. woebetide

    woebetide MDL Member

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    #568 woebetide, Sep 18, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2011
    @Jay69V
    Open vmware-vmx.exe in resorator.
    Double click "binres" and right click "6006".
    Highlight "assign..." and you will get a single cascaded menu label "assign to..." and select it.
    Select your modded vmware bios file. (in your case dell_339.rom -rename if needed to dell_339.txt)
    Save it.
    You are done.

    Replace original vmware-vmx.exe with the modded.
     
  9. woebetide

    woebetide MDL Member

    May 28, 2007
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    Yes I know, but I'm using the modded one to do some testing on Win 7 OEM, so ..... need the modded one:)
     
  10. searchengine

    searchengine Guest

    #570 searchengine, Sep 19, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 21, 2011
    (OP)
    vmw workstation v8 final...

    here's a test patcher, for x64bit(only) users who have installed vmw workstation v8 final, which applies elevated permissions, to successfully patch required files...

    Download Link:- Deleted Link... test feedback positive

    note:- updated Acer, Asus, Dell, & Toshiba to bios bld 339... for test purpose only.

    I have ran this test patcher in Windows 7 x64bit OS, with vmw workstation v8 installed, without error... if feedback is positive from some other live testing, I will update all brands, and finalize the patcher for x86|x64bit systems.
     
  11. pantagruel

    pantagruel MDL Addicted

    Aug 30, 2007
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    #571 pantagruel, Sep 19, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2011
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  12. keuli

    keuli MDL Novice

    Sep 16, 2011
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    #573 keuli, Sep 19, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2011
    AHH it works perfekt ,i test it with the asus brand in the VM with win7 and win8 :biggrin:very good job ! ! TOP,TOP
     
  13. JeanYuhs

    JeanYuhs MDL Member

    Feb 16, 2010
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    Working here just fine, Windows 8 x64 Developer Preview (the full developer version with all the extra tools and Visual Studio Express 2011). Installed VMWare Workstation 8 earlier, did the patch, used my legit Dell OEM Windows 7 Professional x64 ISO to install that OS, came up nice and clean as expected.

    Thanks for your efforts, searchengine.
     
  14. mightymoose

    mightymoose MDL Junior Member

    Dec 4, 2009
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    The patcher is a great tool, but on my wishlist - it would be nice if you could specify the "drive" where VMware Workstation is installed. Assuming "C" drive is fine, but not all people install their programs there. For me, I have an SSD drive booting up which is not large enough for me to use for "program files" so I wind up overriding the C drive and switch all installs over to "D". Patcher wont work in that manner. If we had an option which drive to look for you program files in. Hey it still works if I manually move over my file to be patched to the root of C but - a little extra effort required. - That being said, I appreciate the work of others / searchengine.
     
  15. Graphics

    Graphics MDL Novice

    Jan 7, 2010
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    Thank you, searchengine! The latest test version is working great on Windows 7 Ultimate x64 with VMware Workstation 8 (final).

    I'm really glad you decided to upgrade the BIOS to 339. Using the PhoenixTool is easy enough to get SLIC2.1 in there, but I was having a real problem trying to get the Dell SLP1 in it.
     
  16. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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    Time to learn then....
    You need help, just tell where you got stuck

    It is always better to know then rely on others work

    sebus
     
  17. NorwegianDUde

    NorwegianDUde MDL Novice

    Sep 11, 2009
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    Thanks "searchengine" working good with XP Pro.
     
  18. nori2nori

    nori2nori MDL Novice

    May 26, 2008
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    #579 nori2nori, Sep 20, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2011
    Many thanks "searchengine" for new patcher "Test3-x64bit[only]". I confirmed that the Test3 patcher worked fine with VMW8 + XP Pro X64 on my Acer PC.

    I would appreciate it if you could present a 339 BIOS for HP PC (providing HP_339.exe) on next release.
     
  19. searchengine

    searchengine Guest

    #580 searchengine, Sep 21, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 21, 2011
    (OP)
    vmw workstation v8 final...

    x64bit(only) test patcher download link on #574 has been deleted... feedback results positive.

    here's a test patcher, for x32|64bit users to run on either architechture...

    Download Link:- Removed - use Download Link 1 (1st page)

    note:- updated Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, & Toshiba to bios bld 339... for test purpose only.

    I've ran this test patcher in both Windows 7 x32 & x64bit OS's, with vmw workstation v8 installed, without error... if feedback remains positive from x32|64bit users, I will finalize the patcher to run on both architechtures.


    Edit:- feedback of test patcher positive, use download link 1 (1st page).