Q. How can I fix a virtual machine (VM) that has had its PCoIP connectivity broken by ESX 4.0 Update 2?

A. VMware View users have been reporting problems with ESX 4.0 Update 2. As I explained in my last FAQ, this update introduces problems with the PCoIP protocol in View 4.0.X. That article also explains the steps necessary to enable the installation of Update 2, but without the problematic SVGA driver.

Unfortunately, you’re probably experiencing the problem if you’ve already installed Update 2 and upgraded your environment’s VMware Tools. There's a workaround that should restore PCoIP functionality while still retaining the other components of Update 2.

To implement this workaround, first ensure that you are running VMware View 4.0.1. Then, perform the following steps:

1. Log in with administrator rights to the affected VM.
2. Rename C:\Program File\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\Video to C:\Program File\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\Video-OLD.
3. Copy C:\Program File\Common Files\Vmware\Drivers\Video from an unaffected VM to C:\Program File\Common Files\Vmware\Drivers\ on the affected VM.
4. Open Device Manager and expand Display Adapters.
5. Right-click VMWARE SVGA II and choose Properties, then the Driver tab.
6. Click Update Driver. Click No, not at this time when asked Can windows connect to Windows Update to search for software? Click Next.
7. Click Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) when asked What do you want the wizard to do? Click Next.
8. Click Don't search. I will choose the driver to install and click Next.
9. On the next screen, you're presented a list of two or more VMWARE SVGA II. Choose VMWARE SVGA II Version: 11.6.0.32 (24/09/2009) then click Next.
10. Click Continue Anyway when Windows notifies you that VMware SVGA II hasn't passed Windows logo testing. Click Finish and restart your computer.

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