Virtual networking

I have been having very good luck with my virtual W11 machines, until now.

At first every once in awhile I would lose connection (the network icon would turn into a globe). Did some searches and created a 2nd network adapter which worked. But my latest W11 virtual won't connect at all. I had a brand new W11 build and am using a store bought cd of Windows 11. My previous virtual was of Windows 10.

To get around the one time only activation in my virtual, I don't activate. With the networking not running, I want to save the activation until the connections actually work. I don't keep my virtuals very long when they are acting like they don't know what a broadband is.

I should be able to put info into the network once I click on the VM/ Networking. I checked a vm that does work, and activated from one of my Windows 10 on a cd. I notice the advanced tab is greyed out so I can't change anything there. I am so frustrated. Any suggestions?

Kim Parker said:

I have been having very good luck with my virtual W11 machines, until now.

At first every once in awhile I would lose connection (the network icon would turn into a globe). Did some searches and created a 2nd network adapter which worked. But my latest W11 virtual won't connect at all. I had a brand new W11 build and am using a store bought cd of Windows 11. My previous virtual was of Windows 10.

To get around the one time only activation in my virtual, I don't activate. With the networking not running, I want to save the activation until the connections actually work. I don't keep my virtuals very long when they are acting like they don't know what a broadband is.

I should be able to put info into the network once I click on the VM/ Networking. I checked a vm that does work, and activated from one of my Windows 10 on a cd. I notice the advanced tab is greyed out so I can't change anything there. I am so frustrated. Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

Would help if you specified what Virtual Machine software you were using and what you are using as the HOST machine.

Connectivity - especially coming from older machines might need SMB1 to be enabled on the windows VM -- the other thing is for your "Virtual Network" adapters what are you using. With some VM systems HOST->VM communication can also be a nightware when using some form of NAT. Bridging / Bridged networks usually (IMO at least) work better but in this case eaach machine (Host and VM) has its own unique IP address which could be a problem if you are using a LAN with only a limited number of IP addresses available e.g at a hotel etc.

More info needed I'm afraid.

As for some things being "greyed out" its often possible to change those manually via editing the VM's config file (make a backup first or you could end up with an inoperable VM).

As for activation - if you have an activated VM then you can almost certainly preserve the activation by keeping the VM's unique UUIID - again by editing the config file. For VMWare users at ist boot of a new VM you'll get a prompt "I copied the VM" and "I moved it". Choose the "I moved it" tab.

Again more info needed.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Would help if you specified what Virtual Machine software you were using and what you are using as the HOST machine.

Connectivity - especially coming from older machines might need SMB1 to be enabled on the windows VM -- the other thing is for your "Virtual Network" adapters what are you using. With some VM systems HOST->VM communication can also be a nightware when using some form of NAT. Bridging / Bridged networks usually (IMO at least) work better but in this case eaach machine (Host and VM) has its own unique IP address which could be a problem if you are using a LAN with only a limited number of IP addresses available e.g at a hotel etc.

More info needed I'm afraid.

As for some things being "greyed out" its often possible to change those manually via editing the VM's config file (make a backup first or you could end up with an inoperable VM).

As for activation - if you have an activated VM then you can almost certainly preserve the activation by keeping the VM's unique UUIID - again by editing the config file. For VMWare users at ist boot of a new VM you'll get a prompt "I copied the VM" and "I moved it". Choose the "I moved it" tab.

Again more info needed.

Cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

There is only one virtual software for me, the great VmWare Workstation.
I just had a W11 custom built for my new physical machine.
Kept my old W10 custom built, and both connect to my router by physical cable.
32 gigs ram, Asus mobo, Nvidia graphics

I don't have a network, just have tabs in VmWare Workstation. This way I can click on the one I want to use.
I have always been able to connect both physical and virtual by simply connecting the cable to physical and the broadbrand (Frontier)
Never had a problem with connection going out on the physical.

I don't actually have the virtuals connecting with each other.
I just do this for an accomplishment, each virtual is its own separate entity.
I use Nat as this is the default, and it has always connected when the virtual is finished being installed.

Don't think I can figure out Bridged
My other virtuals connect without a problem so it is strange only this one would not.

The greyed out advanced Nat Mac address is what I can't change.
I can copy it but can't do anything else.

I have 6 virtual machine tabs in VM Workstation but only three are powered on.
I think each of the 6 have their own Mac address, so maybe that's something that can't be changed.

As you mentioned the config file, I am wondering if it is possibl;e tp copy one from a working VM to the problem child.
I am assuming I would need to match the Mac address to the old config.

This is just for fun (ha some fun lol), so it won't matter if the virtual gets wrecked in the process.
Thanks for your help,
Kim