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Topic: How to install open-vm-tools on Artix (Read 3745 times) previous topic - next topic
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How to install open-vm-tools on Artix

This is an issue I faced with installing Artix in VMware Player. Don't get me wrong, the system is running fine, but the integration is poor; I need VMware tools. This is a compilation of steps of how I did it.

I actually used open-vm-tools over VMware tools (the one you can install from the Player itself) because it doesn't work. It requires GCC 9.X (current ver is 10) and Kernel 4.X to work (Artix only seems to provide 5.X). It is not worth trying.

1. install open-vm-tools
For most people, installing from pacman will do.
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pacman -S open-vm-tools
If you're unlucky like me (or something) and pacman spouts errors when you try to install (maybe this?)
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error: failed to commit transaction (conflicting files)
open-vm-tools: /etc/vmware-tools/poweroff-vm-default exists in filesystem
open-vm-tools: /etc/vmware-tools/poweron-vm-default exists in filesystem
open-vm-tools: /etc/vmware-tools/resume-vm-default exists in filesystem
open-vm-tools: /etc/vmware-tools/scripts/vmware/network exists in filesystem
open-vm-tools: /etc/vmware-tools/statechange.subr exists in filesystem
open-vm-tools: /etc/vmware-tools/suspend-vm-default exists in filesystem
Errors occurred, no packages were upgraded.
You should see the next section. If this don't happen to you, skip it.

2. Fixing that goddamn pacman issue
I have no concrete proof that this works; This worked for me. Somehow. I don't know why.
1. install VMware tools. Yes, you heard me right. Skip #6 and #7, we don't want to run it.
follow instructions here
2. Remove VMware tools. This will delete files and hopefully remove files that conflict with open-vm-tools
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sudo /usr/bin/vmware-uninstall-tools.pl
3. Pray that the conflict is resolved and you are able to install the package
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# pray with your prefered method
pacman -S open-vm-tools

3. Creating services (runit)
This part is for runit only.
Create the necessary service files for the vmware daemons and fuse.
some help for you

4. XDG autostart (for wm that don't support it)
I use i3 and I don't think it works.
In your wm config (or wm scripts, or something), run
Code: [Select]
/usr/bin/vmware-user-suid-wrapper
This piece of program manages your clipboard sharing so it can be useful.
For example, in i3 config:
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# vmware clipboards, etc
exec --no-startup-id /usr/bin/vmware-user-suid-wrapper &

5. Shared folders
Since my wm don't do DnD (or probably just it didn't work) shared folders are essential.
Don't worry, I made a script to mount shared folders properly! (from scratch, would probably bug out or something)
here it is
You can run it when you need it, or run it on startup (rc.local or something)
I think it doesn't work after VM suspend, but I don't bother to check it out.

6. optional steps but maybe it helps
from arch wiki:
Quote
Install the dependencies: xf86-input-vmmouse, xf86-video-vmware, and mesa.

That is all. I hope you will benifit from this.
You shouldn't listen to my advice anyways