Possible bug or conflict.
I run a VM with a 512GB c-drive and 931GB d-drive (device \\.\PhysicalDrive 3 as listed in VMPlayer and Disk 3 as listed in Windows 7 diskmgmt.msc). The 931GB drive is not shared with host OS except when VMPlayer is not up. The drive is reformatted before bringing VMPlayer back up or the host system is rebooted immediately prior to starting the VM. The VM is Windows XP professional with all appropriate updates through April 9 (one last update at end of support).
After applying the latest version of VM (sorry not sure what the version listed was), I was unable to boot due to keep being told the physical drive 3 is busy. If I went in and editted the .vmx file to remove the d-drive, the VM would boot without error. If I then terminated the VM and then using the VMPlayer edit configuration tools to add the PhysicalDrive3 again and attempted to restart the VM, I again got the message about the drive being in use. I attempted to reformat the drive and restart the VM, and again the message. I attempted to reboot the host system and restart the VM, and again the message.
Finally I used the Windows 7 system restore command to return to the previous version of VMPlayer. After the restore was completed, I attempted to start the VM and it worked. I have entered in and out of the VM several times and the VM is not having a problem.
VMWare Player version 6.0.2 build 1744117 is working. I do not know what the latest build is but it did not work. I do not know if there was a conflict with the RAM disk. I do not think so because I might have confused, The VM will start using build 1744117 without problems regardless of the status of the RAM disk (present or absent). The RAM disk was recently created (had before but with different drive letters and I was not using PhysicalDevice3 in VM and after creating RAM disk not sure if it was mounted when VM was up. I do know that when I was trying to boot the VM with the RAM disk up, it was listing the correct size for PhysicalDrive3 at 931GB in the message about being busy. The other programs resident are all running at least 99% of the time my system is up. The RAM disk should not be impacting system memory as even with it in the all the listed programs as well as Hearts and DDO
Host System information:
OS - Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit 6.1.7601, Service Pack 1 with all updates
Hardware:
PowerSpec G400 with upgraded hardware:
CPU - Intel Haswell i7-4770k unlocked at 3.50 GHz (not overclocked)
Motherboard - ASRock Z87 Extreme3
Memory - Crucial Ballistix DDR3 PC12800 2x8GB
Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR3 PCI12800 1x8GB
Total 24GB
Video - 2 x EVGA unlocked NVidia Geforce 760 with 4GB memory (8GB total) in SLI configuration
Audio - integrated on motherboard (Realtek Audio 6.0.1.6873)
http://www.powerspec.com/support/files/psdriver_12b.exeTV-Tuner - Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1255
Wireless: - Linksys WUSB6300 (802.11ac) to Linksys AC1900
Storage (drive numbers as defined in Windows 7 diskmgmt.msc.):
Internal Storage Drive 0: Samsung SSD 840 (120GB)
Drive 1: Toshiba DT01ACA2 (2TB)
Drive 2: No Media - Removable (H:) Not sure what this is, I think my 4-in-1 card reader.
External Storage via Startech SATDOCK4U3:
Drive 3: Seagate ST4000DM000 (4TB) (T:, U:, V:)
Drive 4: Western Digital WD10 JPVX-22JC3T0 (1TB) (Z:)
Drive 5: Seagate ST4000DM000 (4TB) (W:)
Drive 6: Seagate Baracuda ST310005 28AS (1TB) (P:)
Other resident programs at time of problems:
Antivirus - Charter communications (ISP) supplied version of F-Secure (Charter modifications). Sorry there is not an about tab that will let me know the build. All I know about that is that it is updated daily.
RAM disk - SoftPerfect RAM Disk (12GB for playing Dungeon and Dragons Online (installed to RAM disk)
Messenger - Yahoo Messenger (11.5.0.228-us)
Browser - Firefox (28.0)