VMware Server 2.0 For Linux Doesn’t Have a “Send Ctrl-Alt-Del” Button

By Daniel Miessler on November 8th, 2008: Tagged as Technology

Forget the license issue they had, someone needs to be killed over this one. You install the product, build a guest os (Server 2008 for me), reboot, and you’re staring at a Login Prompt.

“Hmm, they must have moved the ’send ctrl-alt-del’ command.”

No, they didn’t move it. They didn’t put it in. It’s in 1.x, but not in 2.x.

Are you serious? Really? No ability to log into the box? Oh, and the keyboard mapping is broken too, so the alternate keys for sending the command don’t work either.

Seriously unbelievable. This isn’t beta software. If you can’t even log in then it’s pre-alpha.

[ So there's a workaround after all: ctrl-alt-print (print screen). Thanks to Roger for the tip. ]

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View Comments

  • Those inconsiderate bastards at VMWare have gone so far as to post a knowledge base article on how to fix the problem:

    http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/sea...

    They have the gall to suggest that this is an issue with Linux updating components that break compatibility. Like that ever happens! Pish!

    Anyway, I can press control+alt+del and log into Windows now.
  • cmg
    Thanks, also found solution here. Its criminal that they removed this from the menu btw
  • olegmayorov
    Thanks a lot! You really help me!
  • Thanks for the discussion and the answer - this is NOT the first time your site has been the end of a search process for me.
  • _NT
    Why on earth did they remove this simple menu item? You're right, they deserve to be shot! Nothing works from me, I'm citrix-ing, RDP-ing and using a KVM console. So all keys get eaten by something on the way. What a bunch of idiots to remove that.
  • VMWare: you guys do good work but need to keep the Junior programmers from making design decisions. Prt-scrn on an HP dv8000 k/b is a function key, I now have a four-key login sequence? ctrl-alt-ins worked fine why change. Doc Rice - ESXi is a great product, I especially like booting it off of a USB thumb drive so I can save drive space, BUT, if don't want to dedicate your box to vm machines only, Server is still the tickey.
    I repeat, VMware you guys do good work! Thanks for all of the free products... I believe the wave is building!
  • powervault
    Dell E6400 Ubuntu 9.X you need to press CTRL+ALT+FN+F11
  • thanks for posting this solution!
  • Haegdorens Davy

    I still don`t get this one.


    With vmware server running via the webinterface, there is no “VMware Remote Console” -> “Trouble Shooting” -> “Send CTRL-ALT-DEL


    also when you press ctrl-alt you go out of your player window.


    Can anyone explain this please?

  • re3e

    @ The Nag
    tkx a million , freaking could'nt believe i was not able to 3fs my virtual windows vm ,

  • David Timms
  • Roger

    CTRL-ALT-PRINT (Print Screen) works on my Ubuntu 8.10 box or use another windows box in your network (if there is one;-) and connect to the remote console with the IE. I think it's a problem with the Linux Firefox Plugin.


    by have fun

  • Ben L

    Actually in the webbased console its under the "Trouble Shooting" submenu just like it is in the windows version. I use 2.x on my laptop to run XP for work.


    "VMware Remote Console" -> "Trouble Shooting" -> "Send CTRL-ALT-DEL"


    Agreed its in a dumbass place, but its there =)

  • kiall
    Nope - its not there! At least not on the linux version...

    Ctrl+Alt+Ins works on all there other products ;) just not on this one (again.. at least not on the linux client)
  • Robor007

    Thanks for the ctrl-alt-del (del on the keypad)


    I was pulling my hair out wondering why it wouldn't bring up the login screen!

  • Boo. I saw VMware Server for Linux, but read "ESXi".


    VMware IC was doing the same thing and the keyboard works there. I've abandoned Server some time ago for the awesomeness that is ESXi.


    Insert facepalm here for my previous comment.

  • The Nag

    Just had the same with accessing a Windows VM from an Ubuntu host. Ctrl-Alt-Insert and Ctrl-Alt-Del didn't work... the one that did was Ctrl-Alt-. (from the numeric keypad that is also the del key).


    No idea why, but it let me in and saved me the pain of another reboot/rebuild...

  • Rayne898
    Thanks for ctrl-alt-del
    Del on keypad worked!
    I have used workstation a lot and it has the option to send ctrl=alt-del
    under player the work around I found was ctrl-alt-ins.

    thanks again
  • Daniel Miessler

    Brooks,


    The keyboard wasn't working, so that didn't help me... ;) That was in the post, man. I'm seriously disappointed.

  • Dude.. Seriously, I'm disappointed.


    CTRL+ALT+Insert

  • Doc Rice

    Why even use VMware Server instead of ESXi? I tried VMware Server 2.0 when it was in alpha and it was horrible compared to 1.x. Of course, it was an alpha, and I could see how they're trying to make the management interface more like their Infrastructure offerings (VC, VIC), but I still thought it was bad.


    ESXi, on the other hand, works quite well for free.

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