Resolving VMware Startup Issues After CentOS Upgrade

After upgrading your CentOS system, you might encounter issues where VMware Player or Workstation fails to start. This problem typically arises because the VMware kernel modules (such as vmmon) are not compatible with the new kernel version post-upgrade. Here’s a concise guide to resolving this issue:

1. Reinstall VMware Components
   Try running VMware and follow any prompts to reinstall necessary components.
2. Reconfigure VMware Modules
   Open a terminal and execute the following command with root privileges to ensure all VMware modules are properly compiled for the current kernel:

   vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

3. Remove Old Drivers and Rebuild
   If the issue persists, attempt to remove the old VMware module files and rebuild them to match the new kernel version. Please proceed with caution when executing these commands:

   cd /usr/lib/vmware/modules/binary
   rm -rf *
   vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

Following these steps should address most startup problems with VMware after a CentOS upgrade. For environments using different or newer software versions, consult official documentation or support channels for guidance. Always remember to back up important data before making changes.

This approach ensures that VMware’s kernel modules are correctly aligned with your updated system, allowing VMware to function properly post-upgrade.