Some time ago I wrote something about MS VPC 2007:
For testing I use a MS VPC 2007 virtual machine but this machine have no possible remove CD-ROM drive in settings. Now I tried VMware Workstation 8 - this one allows remove CD-ROM drive in settings :-)
Today I found a solution how to disable the CD-ROM device (IDE controller). You have to enter incorrect absolute string in the IDE controller ID 1, location 0 in the file .vmc eg. a few small letters. In the example I used the word "dummy" and close tag </absolute>:
<ide_controller id="1"> <location id="0"> <drive_type type="integer">2</drive_type> <pathname> <absolute type="string">dummy</absolute> <relative type="string" /> </pathname> </location> </ide_controller>
Comparison of the presence of CD-ROM:
CMOS (device list and boot order):
GRUB4DOS (cdrom --init):
WInXP x86 (My computer, Device Manager and Disk management):
Now, after choosing the menu: CD -> Capture ISO Image... no display window Select CD Image to Capture.
Tested in MS VirtualPC 2007 for x64 version 6.0.192.0
Please test other version MS VPC and report.
Thx.