I just installed the VMware 6.5 beta under Ubuntu Hardy, installed Desktop Manager, and synced over USB. This version natively supports USB pass through, so no more using VirtualBox & a bluetooth dongle. Good deal.

Great news! What BB DM version did you use in your VM? Windows XP or Vista guest OS?

Using the latest DM 4.6, XP SP2.

Vista? Are you crazy?!

I have 6.5 installed to and I still can't get the blackberry to link up correctly. Not sure, but for some reason I think udev is killing me in this one case (normally I love udev since it makes my life so much easier). Was there anything you did within vmware to set it up to allow the connection?

Thanks!

Sorry for taking so long to get back. I was on the road for a couple weeks.

I didn't have anything special set up on the vmware config. Here's a screenshot of the USB section. Everything just kind of worked..

So vmware is now better than virtualbox?

It's hard to say. VirtualBox just recently released 2.0, and I have not yet had a chance to test it out.

I just installed Mint 5.0 and I have the new virtualbox. Had no idea how to move my XP vdi file to another partition, so I bit the bullet and lost it all. Vmware sounds a little more interesting now though.

Yes, vmware seems to be adding some much needed features - hardware based graphics acceleration. Unfortunately neither of my cards are supported yet, but I'm hopeful..

virtualbox is free.....

they both offer free versions, however virtualbox also makes an open source edition, which as we all know is even better than free


P.S. virtualbox OSE does not support USB passthrough, but the free edition does, anyone try both VB and VMware to compare on this issue?

I believe the udev is quickly grabbing the blackberry and linking it with usb-storage. And then I cannot remove usb-storage to release the blackberry thus allowing vmware to grab it. Not exactly sure...

If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it!

You're probably right about that udev. I forgot that I have password security enabled on my 8310, so any time a machine tries to gain mass storage access, you have to enter a password on the device. If you hit escape when the password prompt pops up, mass storage is disabled.

Try enabling the password through Options > Security Options > General Settings

Once security is enabled, try again with vmware.

Still having issues with getting things connected. I have security enabled, and have escaped from the password to allow mass storage access - still doesn't show up.

I was using 4.3 Desktop client, and thought that may be the issue so I upgraded to 4.6 and I still don't have any luck. I blacklisted usb_storage hoping that would allow the passthrough of the usb to the vmware image - also no luck...

So... If you have any other ideas I would love to hear them.

Thanks!