Tag Archives: windows 8 server

Windows 8 (Server and Client) Black Screen (Post VMware Tools Install)

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KB ID 0000587 

Problem

I’ve seen this on both the Windows 8 (Consumer Preview), and the Windows Server 8 (Beta), whilst running them in VMware Workstation 8. They install fine, but if you install the VMware tools all you get is a black screen.

This is because the SVGA Driver than VMware Tools installs Windows 8 does NOT Like.

Note: This does not hppen on ESXi 5.

Solution

I knew this was going to happen, so I took a snapshot before I installed VMware tools, Then I had the luxury of reverting back. If you are reading this you probably didn’t! If that IS the case, then press F8 as the Virtual Machine starts to boot to launch Automatic Repair (be quick on the keys).

Installing VMware Tools in Windows 8

1. To stop this happening, when you install VMware tools select > Custom > Remove the SVGA Driver > Next > Finish > Yes (to reboot).

2. You will notice that the display driver that is uses, is the “Microsoft Basic Display Adaptor”.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Windows 8 -“Windows cannot read the <ProductKey> setting from the unattend answer file.”

Windows 8 Wont Run in VMware Workstation

Running Windows Server 8 in VMware ESXi

How Do I Shut Down Windows 8?

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KB ID 0000588

Problem

Like Windows 7, Windows 8 is more than happy to gracefully shutdown if you press the power button on your PC/Laptop/Tablet. But now you don’t have a “Start Button” where’s the option to turn it off?

You might find it simpler just to Create a Shutdown shortcut on the Start Menu.

Solution

How to Shut Down Windows 8

1. Press Windows Key+I > Power > Shut down.

How to Shut Down Windows 8 (By Launching charms Bar)

1. To launch the “Metro Start Screen” you need to press the Windows key (or press CTRL+Esc), then locate the “Charms Bar” Button and hover over it. (Or Press Windows Key+C).

2. Select Settings.

3. Select Power > Shut down.

How to Shut Down Server 2012

1. Press Windows Key+I > Power > Shut down.

How to Shut Down Server 2012 (via the Charms Bar)

1. To launch the “Metro Start Screen” you need to press the Windows key (or press CTRL+Esc), then locate the “Charms Bar” Button and hover over it. (Or Press Windows Key+C).

2. Select Settings.

3. Select Power > Shut down.

4. Like its predecessor (Server 2008 R2) Windows Server 2012 wants to log a reason why it’s being shut down, enter the reason and select continue.

 

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Windows 8 Metro Shortcuts

Windows 8 – Add Shutdown to the Start/Metro Menu

Running Windows Server 8 in VMware ESXi

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KB ID 0000590 

Problem

The very fist time I tried this was on ESXi 4.1, if you try and install Windows 8 Server on that platform, you will see the following.

Your computer ran into a problem and needs to restart. If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this code: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED It’s collecting error info and will restart in: x seconds

Note: You will also see this in VMware player, and VMware workstation 7.

Solution

Some internet searching told me that as far as VMware was concerned, I needed to be running VMware Workstation version 8, so I installed Workstation 8 and, accepting the fact I got the same install error that the windows 8 consumer preview gives you, (the fix is the same). It works flawlessly (unless you install the VMware tools).

Running Windows “8” Server in ESXi

I knew that the developer preview worked on ESXi 5, And VMware Workstation 8 uses VMware hardware version 8. So I guessed that it would run under ESXi 5. I set the machine type to “Windows 7 x64”, and it installed it, to my surprise it ran straight away.

And Installing VMware tools went smoothly as well.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Windows 8 (Server and Client) Black Screen (Post VMware Tools Install)

Windows 8 -“Windows cannot read the <ProductKey> setting from the unattend answer file.