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