Installing a patch when starting VMware on Ubuntu 12.04 and other distributions

Today I encountered the following problem: when installing VMware Workstation 8 on Linux Mint 13 (kernel 3.2, as in ubuntu 12.04 LTS or other new distributions) and subsequent launch, there is a requirement to patch the system kernel. As I learned from the Internet, the situation is quite common, however, I did not find any detailed instructions “from beginning to end”. The problem was solved by me, in connection with which I decided to write a small guide.
So, the sequence of actions is as follows:

1. Download and install VMware Workstation 8 (I used Workstation 8.0.4, but it should work with others too)
   
2. Download the kernel patch. I have seen for both kernel 3.2 and 3.4. I downloaded along with the VMware installer, but it can be done differently: (cm *)
   
3. Install VMware
   
   

    $ sudo sh VMware-Workstation-Full-8.0.4-744019.i386.bundle
   

   
   
4. Run the program. The program will ask you to install add-ons. Further, there are two possible scenarios:
   a) when installing the first component, it will display a message that you need to patch the kernel. Then we skip point 5
   b) after installing the add-ons, it will give an error that one of the components is not installed. Then carry out step 5
   
5. You must open the patch-modules_3.2.0.sh file (or similar **) in a text editor and replace the lines
   

   ["$ vmver" == "workstation $ vmreqver"] && product = "VMWare WorkStation"
   ["$ vmver" == "player $ plreqver"] && product = "VMWare Player"

   on one line
   

   product = "VMWare WorkStation"

   
   
6. Check if the patch package is installed
   
   

    $ sudo apt-get install patch
   

   
   
7. Install patch
   
   

   $ sudo -s
   # cd адрес_папки_с_патчем
   # sh patch-modules_3.2.0.sh
   

   
   
8. In some cases, when installing the patch, an error appears like:
   

   / home / the23 / Downloads / VMware Workstation 8.0.4 build 744019 for Linux / patch_for_kernel_3.2.0 / patch-modules_3.2.0.sh: 27: [: workstation8.0.4: unexpected operator
   / home / the23 / Downloads / VMware Workstation 8.0. 4 build 744019 for Linux / patch_for_kernel_3.2.0 / patch-modules_3.2.0.sh: 28: [: workstation8.0.4: unexpected operator
   Sorry, this script is only for VMWare WorkStation 8.0.4 or VMWare Player 4.0.4. Exiting

   so that this does not happen, you must also go to step 5 and perform all the actions in a new way
   
9. After the patch is installed, run the program
   

* you can download and install the patch as follows

$ sudo apt-get install patch
$ cd
$ wget http://webupd8.googlecode.com/files/vmware802fixlinux320.tar.gz
$ tar -xvf vmware802fixlinux320.tar.gz
$ sudo ~/vmware802fixlinux320/patch-modules_3.2.0.sh

** if the system is on a Linux 3.4 kernel, then specify patch-modules_3.4.0.sh respectively

PS I'm a newbie in Linux so I assume there are errors and inaccuracies in the text. I will be glad to correct and supplement the article. I hope the information is helpful.