"Host USB device connections disabled" in VMware?
See the answer below, from this blog post.
The root cause of this problem is that VMWare only support USB root hub driver from Microsoft. When your USB root hub driver get updated by another software (sony ericsson pc suite, AMD, etc.) the vmware cannot detect the usb driver.
What you can do is install the Microsoft USB Hub Driver on your Host. This is how you do it:
Right Click on your My Computer icon and click Manage. Go to Device Manager. Search for USB Root Hub.
Double Click on one of USB Root Hub. Check the Driver Provider. If it is a Sony Ericsson or provider other than Microsoft, you should install the Microsoft Driver. Klik Update Driver to Install Microsoft Driver.
Choose Install from a list or specific location.
Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install.
Choose USB Root Hub from the bottom.
Check again the Manufacturer. Make sure it is already changed to Microsoft.
Do step 1-6 on all the USB Root Hub.
Restart the Computer.
I face that problem as well on windows7 host, Just go to services and start the service name "VMWare USB Arbitration Service"
I restored the usb root hub drivers to Microsoft and then I uninstaller vmware.After uninstalling vmware i tried to install vmware again and after that...IT FINALLY WORKED!!! try that and good luck from me...finally my vmware work like it should do. :)