NOTE: This is for Redhat/Fedora, although it would be similar in other dtstros.
Here is the message you get:
What is the location of the directory of C header files that match your running kernel? [/usr/src/linux/include]
When you browse to it you realize the path “/usr/src/linux/include” is not an existing directory.
To fix this, run the following:
yum -y install gcc gcc-c++ kernel-devel uname -r
Make note of your kernel version.
vmware-config-tools.pl
If the kernel source directory is there and still you are getting this error, edit /lib/modules/yourkernelversion/include/linux/version.h file and add the following line:
#define UTS_RELEASE "your-kernel-version"
Run vmware-config-tools.pl It should now find the appropriate directory.
Another solution, if you are having problems with VMware tools, is to install open-vm-toolbox along with its dependencies.
yum -y install open-vm-toolbox
Ubuntu Instructions
http://langui.sh/2009/10/05/ubuntu-9-10-in-vmware/
– Main.FredPettis - 2010-10-13