Cannot compile module with kernel kernel-6.16.3

[pjuhen]

Hi,

modules don't compile with kernel 6.16.3 (first time with 6.16)

Error is :

Skipping BTF generation for vmnet.ko due to unavailability of vmlinux
Unable to install all modules. See log for details.

/sys/kernel/btf/vmlinux exists.

ls -l /sys/kernel/btf/vmlinux
-r--r--r--. 1 root root 6620072 29 août 10:46 /sys/kernel/btf/vmlinux

Thanks,

Regards,

[BMJ-pdx]

That "Skipping BTF generation" is just a red herring -- it happens every time on successful compiles.
The real problem is that the vmmon compile fails with "implicit declaration of function ‘rdmsrl_safe’",
which means it doesn't exist in kernel 6.16.3 . (vmnet compiles OK.)
I'm working on a fix and will post it here if successful.

[BMJ-pdx]

Here are the current patches I'm using for Workstation 17.6.3 running on host kernel 6.16.3 (Fedora 42).
They're based on the original Workstation source.

Update: The patch I originally attached here was un poco fubaroso, as pointed out (not in those words) by ixd704.
To reduce confusion, I have deleted its hyperlink. Use patch-2025-08-31-complete.txt below.

[ixd704]

I had to patch vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c as well...

void
HostIF_CleanupUptime(void)
{
#if LINUX_VERSION_CODE >= KERNEL_VERSION(6, 15, 4)
timer_delete_sync(&uptimeState.timer);
#else
del_timer_sync(&uptimeState.timer);
#endif
}

[BMJ-pdx]

ixd704:
Mea culpa (that's Latin for "oops").
Indeed, I somehow generated the diff for that one file from my RCS revision 1.2, not the initial revision (i.e. the original).
Thanks for pointing it out; I'll get the patch.txt attachment updated ASAP.

[BMJ-pdx]

This fixes the fubarosity in my 2025-08-29 patch, as pointed out above by ixd704 (again, thank you).

For completeness, I'll repeat this:
Here are the current patches I'm using for Workstation 17.6.3 running on host kernel 6.16.3 (Fedora 42).
They're based on the original Workstation source.

patch-2025-08-31-complete.txt

[ixd704]

Thanks so much for providing the patches, you made finding the bug super simple for me.

[Yamakuzure]

Thank you very much, it worked!

[brick-GH]

Hello,

this helped me to get the modules compiled for the Kernel 6.16.3 in the OpenSUSE Tumbleweed.

Nevertheless, I had already module sources which compiled for the Kernel 6.15. coming already from @mkubecek repository.

At the end, I had only to modify a line in the file vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c

Line +3414.
change:

• err = rdmsrq_safe(msr, &v);

• err = rdmsrl_safe(msr, &v);

I regenerated the tarball from the directory /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source

sudo tar -cf vmmon.tar vmmon-only

and compiled the modules

sudo vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

It went all smooth and I have the VMware Workstation running again. :)
I hope it helps someone in the similar situation.

[brick-GH]

Format problem in my last post: (+ and - signs converted to bullets)

Old Line:

err = rdmsrl_safe(msr, &v);

New Line:

err = rdmsrq_safe(msr, &v);

[leeuwtjex]

Sorry for this noob question. How should I use your patch-2025-08-31-complete.txt ?
I do not now how to add this code. Could someone give the commands to perform?

I had the same when trying to open vmware after the latest fedora 42 kernel update (6.16.3-200)
Vmware doesn't start anymore. Usually there was a gui automatic compiler window doing the job.

I know this default procedure can be done manually with these lines after downloading the modules from mkubecek:

tar -xvf vmware-host-modules-xxxxxxxx.tar.gz
cd vmware-host-modules-wxxxxxxxxx
tar -cf vmmon.tar vmmon-only
tar -cf vmnet.tar vmnet-only
sudo cp -v vmmon.tar vmnet.tar /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/

How to use your patch in it? What will be the whole list of commands look like?

Thanks and sorry for being annoying.

[qtlin]

This fixes the fubarosity in my 2025-08-29 patch, as pointed out above by ixd704 (again, thank you).

For completeness, I'll repeat this: Here are the current patches I'm using for Workstation 17.6.3 running on host kernel 6.16.3 (Fedora 42). They're based on the original Workstation source.

patch-2025-08-31-complete.txt

@BMJ-pdx is there a clone with your patch?

[Spaceboy60]

Sorry for this noob question. How should I use your patch-2025-08-31-complete.txt ? I do not now how to add this code. Could someone give the commands to perform?

I had the same when trying to open vmware after the latest fedora 42 kernel update (6.16.3-200) Vmware doesn't start anymore. Usually there was a gui automatic compiler window doing the job.

I know this default procedure can be done manually with these lines after downloading the modules from mkubecek:

tar -xvf vmware-host-modules-xxxxxxxx.tar.gz cd vmware-host-modules-wxxxxxxxxx tar -cf vmmon.tar vmmon-only tar -cf vmnet.tar vmnet-only sudo cp -v vmmon.tar vmnet.tar /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/

How to use your patch in it? What will be the whole list of commands look like?

Thanks and sorry for being annoying.

Same here, no idea what to do with the text file

[ixd704]

Here is how I do the patching...
Go to the vmware modules directory
cd /usr/lib/vmware/modules/source/

Untar the files
tar xf vmnet.tar
tar xf vmmon.tar

test the patch to see if there are errors generated
patch -p0 --dry-run < ~/Downloads/vmware/patch.txt

No errors, patch the files
patch -p0 < ~/Downloads/vmware/patch.txt

check to verify the files you expected to be patched have new date stamps
ls -lart vmnet-only/
ls -lart vmmon-only/

Save the original tarballs in case you have any problems
cp vmmon.tar ~/Downloads/vmware/
cp vmnet.tar ~/Downloads/vmware/

create new tarfiles for vmware to use
tar cvf vmmon.tar vmmon-only
tar cvf vmnet.tar vmnet-only

run vmware and let it recompile and install the new files.

I am on Fedora 42 so your directory structures might be different. The key is to patch the files right after you extract them to disk. I always run the test first with --dry-run just to make sure the patch file works as expected. If you take a look at the patch file content, you will see which files are going to be patched. Take note and make sure you see them when you ls -lart the directories.

I hope this helps you out.

[leeuwtjex]

patch -p0 --dry-run < ~/Downloads/vmware/patch.txt

result:

checking file vmmon-only/Makefile.kernel
Hunk #1 FAILED at 22.
1 out of 1 hunk FAILED
checking file vmmon-only/include/iocontrols.h
checking file vmmon-only/linux/driver.c
Hunk #1 FAILED at 346.
1 out of 1 hunk FAILED
checking file vmmon-only/linux/hostif.c
Hunk #1 FAILED at 1995.
1 out of 2 hunks FAILED
checking file vmnet-only/driver.c
Hunk #1 FAILED at 268.
Hunk #2 FAILED at 284.
Hunk #3 FAILED at 342.
Hunk #4 FAILED at 363.
4 out of 4 hunks FAILED

I used the modules already in the directory.
What are the right vmware module files to use for kernel-6.16.3 ?
t