Ok, when creating a new VM, here is how to avoid the Easy Install portion of the VM wizard, which chooses bad partition sizes and does not allow customization of any software.
When using VMware Workstation 7.x-8.x it is normal to create a Linux Guest as such:
o Download OS DVD ISO (e.g., ...Documents\Virtual Machines\CentOS-5.7-i386-bin-DVD.iso
o Click 'File' -> 'New Virtual Machine...' and, as the wizard guides you...
o Install from: Select 'Installer disc image file'
Selecting 'Installer disc image file' will cause you to enter a fork in the creation process called Easy Install (from Hell, har, har) which will skip important steps in the normal CentOS Install. For example,
o No chance to adjust partition sizes. Very disturbing. And, componded by Easy Install making horrible choices for Virtual Disk partition sizes, such as 3GB root partition on 30GB disk. The CentOS choices are very good, 29GB root on 30GB disk.
o No chance to create a Linux Server. Truely disturbing. All you will ever get is a Gnome Desktop.
o No chance to change any of the normal software selections.
Luckily, there is an easy procedure to avoid Easy 'like a nucular bomb' Install
o Click 'File' -> 'New Virtual Machine...' and, as the wizard guides you...
What type of configuration do you want?
o Click 'Custom (advanced)'
Install from:
o Select 'I will install the operating system later'
Ready to Create Virtual Machine
o Click 'Customize Hardware...' Button
Select 'New CD/DVD'
Select 'Use ISO image file:'
Click 'Browse...' Button, and locate your OS ISO image
(e.g., ...Documents\Virtual Machines\CentOS-5.7-i386-bin-DVD.iso
If you don't want Guest to detect iPod or Smartphone...
Select USB Controller
Un-check 'Automatically connect new USB devices
Un-check 'Share Bluetooth devices with the virtual machine'
If you won't be using a printer...
Select Printer
Un-check 'Connect at power on'
Press 'Close'
Press 'Finish'
When you get 'Congratulations, the installation is complete'
o Click on 'VM' -> 'Settings...'
o Select 'CD/DVD'
o Select 'Use physical drive:'
o Click 'OK' Button
o Click 'Reboot' Button
The normal CentOS install procedure will begin...