VMWare console problems

[mightybrick]

I decided to set up my development environment in vmware with the Rockbox debian image to learn to compile my own builds, but I'm having difficulties.
I was able to download the CVS, following the vmware guide on the wiki (here: http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/VMwareDevelopmentPlatform).  But when I try to open the console to compile, I get an error saying 'couldn't open console' with no more information.
Does anyone have any suggestions?  I'm new to Linux, and need someone to point me in the right direction.

[mnhnhyouh]

I use this tutorial, and found it much easier....

http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=4689.0

h

[mightybrick]

This appears to be a problem in Debian itself.  I am unable to open the console to even begin compiling.  Could it be I have a bad copy of Debian?  I suppose I'll try unzipping the Rockbox Debian image again, and start from scratch.  

[pabouk]

As a workaround you can try to work in the text console. To switch there press Ctrl-Alt-F1.