Automatically Connecting a Device When the Virtual Machine Powers On

By default, VMware GSX Server automatically connects to most configured devices when the virtual machine powers on. USB devices are automatically connected when the virtual machine window has focus.

You can change this automated behavior. You can make these changes through the Configuration Editor. For example, if you are using a laptop that does not always have the CD-ROM connected, you should change this option for the virtual CD-ROM device.

Select File > Open and open the virtual machine configuration file (.cfg) you want to modify.
Select Settings > Configuration Editor from the VMware GSX Server console window.
From the list of devices, select the device you want to modify.
On the right hand side, deselect the Start Connected option or for USB devices, the Automatically connect new USB devices to this virtual machine when it has focus option.
Click OK.

Note: If you disable this option, you need to enable access to the device manually. To do so, select the device from the Devices menu in the virtual machine.