If you encounter issues using the VM not addressed below, please contact help@cs.colorado.edu. Alternatively, you may consult your course staff.

Questions

Why can't I log in to Dropbox on the VM?

There is currently an issue with the Firefox browser that prevents users from logging into their Dropbox accounts. They are given an error that their credentials are invalid. Rather than trying to troubleshoot the issue in Firefox, we recommend a work-around:

1. Go to the start menu (blue icon in the top left of the VM) and open Google Chrome
2. When prompted, set Google Chrome as your default browser
3. Restart the VM (go to the start menu, select the power icon in the bottom right corner, and then choose 'Restart')

When the VM starts back up, a Dropbox browser window will come back up, but this time in Google Chrome. You should be able to log in normally.

What is the username and password on the VM?

The default username:password combo is user:user. You may change this password if you desire by running passwd from a terminal.

As on most Debian-based system, the root account is disabled. Use sudo if you need to run privileged commands.

How do I fix a CPU error when trying to boot my VM?

If you receive an error message along the lines of:

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The CPU has been disabled by the guest operating system. Power off
or reset the virtual machine.

or:

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VMware Workstation unrecoverable error: (vcpu-0)

vcpu-0:VERIFY vmcore/vmm/main/cpuid.c:386 bugNr=1036521

A log file is available in 
"C:\Users\<user>\Documents\Virtual Machines\<VM Name>\vmware.log".

Or your VM boots into a black screen with a white underscore cursor, it generally means VMware is having trouble getting your processor to support virtualization. This is normally due to one of the following issues:

• Your machine supports virtualization, but it has been disabled in the BIOS
• Your machine does not support virtualization

To correct the former case, boot into your machine's BIOS and enable the virtualization setting. The exact process for this differs by machine (try Google or consult your machine's user manual). The following steps are provided for convenience, but MAY NOT BE correct on your machine.

To boot into the BIOS and enable virtualization on most Windows 10 machines:

1. Open your start menu and search for "Settings", then open it
2. Choose "Update & Security"
3. On the left-hand menu, select "Recovery"
4. Scroll down until you see "Advanced Startup", then click "Restart Now". Your machine will shut down for a moment, then come back up on a blue screen with a few different choices.
5. Choose "Troubleshoot"
6. Choose "Advanced options"
7. Select "UEFI Firmware Settings".
8. Click restart.
9. After a moment, your PC should boot back up on a black screen with a few different options listed. Look for "BIOS Settings" on the list and press the indicated Fn key (usually it is F10; your function keys are located on the top row of your keyboard).
10. You'll be taken to the BIOS. Note that you can only navigate in the BIOS using your arrow keys and the enter key.
11. Look for an option labeled something like "Intel VT-x", "Intel Virtualization Technology", or "Virtualization Support". The option is usually under either Security or Configuration, though it could be elsewhere. Sometimes there are two settings related to virtualization - make sure to enable both. (To enable: move the arrow keys until the virtualization setting is highlighted, press enter, use the arrow keys to select "enabled", then press enter).
12. Save and exit the BIOS. (You should see a keyboard shortcut at the bottom of the screen for doing this, or you can exit through the menu)
13. Let the PC reboot. Log back in, then try to launch the VM again.

See this article on Laptop Mag (external site) for images of how to boot into the BIOS.

In the latter case (e.g. if you find no virtualization settings in your BIOS), you may have to either upgrade your computer, install Linux alongside your host operating system in dual boot mode, or use the machines in CSEL (ECCS128).

Why is the network not working on the VM?

The VM takes the network connection from the host operating system as an Ethernet connection. If you are not connected to the Internet on the VM, then the problem is most likely that you are not connected on your host.

Check your network settings on your host operating system and ensure you are connected. If you are connecting to UCBWireless or UCBGuest, you may need to open on a browser window (on your host OS) and authenticate through OIT.

If you are certain that you are connected on your host OS (i.e., web pages are loading properly, no errors are showing in your connection status), but still cannot connect on the VM, then check the Getting Help section above for office hours or contact help@cs.colorado.edu.