Q: Why am I warned that a file "does not exist and therefore cannot be connected as a CD-ROM image" when I start a virtual machine on VMware Fusion?

Answer

The error looks something like this:

You're probably seeing it because virtual machines can be configured to simulate a CD-ROM drive using a CD-ROM image file. This is often done during the setup of a new virtual machine using a downloaded CD or DVD installer disk image. When the CD-ROM image file is deleted or moved, VMware give this warning and disconnects the virtual CD-ROM.

To configure the virtual machine to use the CD-ROM drive on your computer:

1. Shut down the virtual machine.
2. Select Settings from the Virtual Machine menu.
3. From this screen, select CD/DVD under Removable Devices.
4. Be sure that Connected is checked, and select Automatically detect physical CD/DVD drive.
5. Click OK.
   Result: The virtual machine will now use the physical CD/DVD drive the next time it is started. These settings are virtual machines specific, and will only apply to the virtual machine you selected to edit.