Specifications

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VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

Upgrade VMware Tools to the new version, following the instructions in Installing

VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide. Do not remove the

older version of VMware Tools before installing the new version.

Upgrade the virtual hardware so you can take advantage of better performance,

improved networking, support for taking a snapshot while the virtual machine is

running and improved virtual disk formats. See Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the

Guest Operating System on page 86.

Note: When you update the virtual hardware in a Windows XP or Windows Server

2003 virtual machine, the Microsoft product activation feature may require you to

reactivate the guest operating system.

Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the Guest Operating System

Upgrading a virtual machine’s virtual hardware gives it access to new features of GSX

Server. Before you upgrade the virtual hardware, however, consider the following:

• The virtual hardware upgrade is irreversible: The process of upgrading the

virtual hardware is irreversible and makes the disks attached to this virtual

machine incompatible with VMware GSX Server 1or 2. You should make backup

copies of your virtual disks before starting the upgrade.

• GSX Server 3 updates the CMOS: If you are using a virtual machine created

under VMware GSX Server 2, the first time you power on the virtual machine

under VMware GSX Server 3, GSX Server updates the CMOS. As a result, your

guest operating system may detect hardware changes and install new drivers for

the new hardware even if you do not choose to upgrade the virtual hardware.

• You must install VMware Tools: You need to install the new version of VMware

Tools. Do this before you upgrade the virtual hardware. For details, see Installing

VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

• An error may appear when upgrading from physical disk: 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

click OK to continue the upgrade process.

• Windows 95 and Windows 98 guests cannot load CD-ROM drivers at first:

The first time you run a VMware GSX Server 2 virtual machine under VMware

GSX Server 3, the guest operating system discovers new hardware and attempts

to install drivers for it before it loads the CD-ROM driver. As a result, it is unable to

load drivers from the operating system installation CD. In many cases, the drivers