Using an Existing Virtual Machine without Upgrading the Virtual Hardware

Upgrade VMware Tools to the new version, following the instructions in Installing VMware Tools. Do not remove the older version of VMware Tools before installing the new version.

A virtual machine set up in this way should run without problems. However, you do not have the benefits of certain new features, including better performance, improved networking, the ability to take a snapshot while the virtual machine is running and improved virtual disk formats. Also, the console interface changes to accommodate older virtual machine features. For more information, see Connecting to Older GSX Server and ESX Server Systems and Older Virtual Machines.

Note: The first time you power on the virtual machine under GSX Server 3, GSX Server updates the CMOS. As a result, your guest operating system may detect hardware changes and install new drivers for the new hardware even if you do not upgrade the virtual hardware. Similarly, if you switch back to GSX Server 2, your guest operating system may detect hardware changes and install the appropriate drivers. You should expect to see this behavior each time you switch from one version of VMware GSX Server to the other.