VMware Server v1.05 - USB 2.0 - Blue Screen of Death Workaround

skill level: intermediate
I operate Ubuntu Desktop v7.10 (Gutsy gibbon)
I installed VMware Server v1.05

• VMware Server is free
• VMware Server does not support USB 2.0
• note: VMware Workstation v6 costs money, but does support USB 2.0

I installed Windows XP into my VMware Server Session.
When I plug in my USB 2.0 device and install the driver the XP would get the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

There are a few solutions that are effective:

• Solution 1 - Easiest:
• Plug a USB 1.1 hub into your USB 2.0 port, then plug your USB 2.0 device into the USB 1.1 HUB.
• Solution 2 - Not convenient or a likely modern possibility:
• Check your VMware BIOS (and possibly even your Host PC's BIOS) and see if the BIOS allows you to force USB v1.1.
• Solution 3 - Most effective and assumes a Linux Host:
  
• Open a ternimal session and type: rmmod ehci_hcd
• This command unloads the USB 2.0 module and Linux favors the USB 1.1 module.
• You can do this on the fly, while VMware is running, before you plug your device into the port.
• You can also relaod ehci_hcd on the fly when you are done: modprobe ehci_hcd
• If you reboot Linux it will automatically default back to loading ehci_hcd