Fixing Sound for a Windows 98 Guest in VMWare Workstation

Us Windows 98 users have all faced the problem of nonexistent sound in VMWare Workstation.  Fortunately it's a very simple fix to get clear, fully working audio for Windows 98 guest operating systems.

VMWare Workstation provides a virtual Sound Blaster PCI 128 sound card for Win98 guests, so what we have to do is download the appropriate drivers.

1. Here is the link to Creative Labs' download page for the Sound Blaser PCI 128.
2. Download the WDM drivers, the file is called SBPCI_WebDrvsV5_12_01.exe.  Note: If you try to use any of the other drivers listed, the Win98 guest will BSOD on startup.
3. Next we need the files to handle MIDI playback, the two files that are needed are called eapci4m.ecw and eapci8m.ecw.  You can get the first file here and the second file here.

Now that we have the necessary files, start up your Win98 guest and place eapci4m.ecw and eapci8m.ecw into the "windows/system" folder.  Next, run SBPCI_WebDrvsV5_12_01.exe to install the Sound Blaster drivers in the guest.  After the installation is done, restart Win98.  The last step is to setup the MIDI playback.  To do this, right-click on My Computer, go to the Device Manager tab, and expand the menu that says "Sound, video and game controllers."

Now, click on "SB PCI(WDM)" and then click Properties.  On the new window that opens, go to the Settings tab then click Add Waveset.  Browse to the "windows/system" folder and select eapci8m.ecw.  You should now see the following (if not, just select "8 Megabyte GM/GS Waveset" from the dropdown menu):

Now just hit OK and you're done, enjoy that nice stereo sound!