Problem Statement:
VMWare Fusion guest "vmware-vmx" process pegging a single host cpu core at 100%
Environment:
Chasis: MacBook Pro 17-inch, Mid 2009
Software: Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4 (11E53)
Processor: 3.06 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 8 GB 1067 Mhz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB
Hard-disk Drive: 240 GB Solid State SATA (Kingston Hyper V)
VMWare Fusion: 4.1.2 (683185)
Duplication Steps:
1) Installed the OS using RecoveryHD and downloading the latest OS from Apple. (CPU 0%)
2) Rebooted
3) Installed VMWare Fusion
4) Started VMWare Fusion and entered license. (CPU 0%)
5) Rebooted
6) Started VMWare Fusion (CPU 0%)
7) Started VM (CPU ~100% and greater)
8) Stopped VM (CPU 0%)
9) Repeat 7-8 results in same behavior every time
I've attempted troubleshooting by modifying the above steps by adding each of the following (independently):
* 1-9, added 2a) Disable Spotlight (Terminal | "sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist")
* 1-9, added 2a) Disabled Time Machine (Opened Time Machine Preferences and turned the switch to OFF)
Commentary:
* I've noticed that rebooting the OS seems to be the catalyst. If the VM is working, I can reboot it all I want. It's only once I reboot the host where the problem will then consistently occur.
* I've noticed that tweaking the host's network connection and the guest's network connection seem to influence when things "work", but I haven't been able to isolate better details.
I've attached a "Sampleing" of the process.