Setting up Ubuntu Server as Virtual Machine in VMware

Install Ubuntu Server

• Download an image from this site Show archive.org snapshot
• Select File > New… to and follow the instructions, choose the .iso file you downloaded as image file
• Deselect "Simple installation" – you want to configure your system yourself
• Start the new virtual machine and follow the instructions

Install VMware Tools

• Choose Virtual Machine > Install VMware Tools from the VMware menu, then:

^
# install required packages
sudo apt-get install build-essential psmisc

Copy# make a mount point if needed
sudo mkdir /media/cdrom

# mount the CD
sudo mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom

# copy and extract VMWareTools
sudo cp /media/cdrom/VMwareTools*.tar.gz ~
tar zxvf VMwareTools*.tar.gz

# run installation script,
# just confirm the default answers when asked
cd ~/Desktop/vmware-tools-distrib
sudo ./vmware-install.pl

Set screen resolution

• edit the grub template file (e.g. with vim)
  ^
  sudo vim /etc/default/grub

• uncomment GRUB_GFXMODE and write down your desired resolution
  ^
  GRUB_GFXMODE=1280x720

• ATTENTION: The resolution you choose must be supported by your graphics adapter. To find supported resolutions:
  ^
  sudo reboot

  press c to enter the grub command line

  list resolution info and reboot

  vbeinfo
  reboot

• after setting the resolution, save the file and run
  ^
  sudo update-grub
  sudo reboot

Set keyboard layout

• for current session: sudo loadkeys de
• permanently:
  • sudo dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration
  • adjust Country of origin for the keyboard and Keyboard layout to meet your needs