an't create VMware XP client on Etch host (keymap problem?)

I've successfully installed VMware-1.0.2-39867 on my Etch machine with the
help of the any-any-update109 patch. I am now unable to set up an XP client
on the same box. I bring up the VMware Server Console and call "Create a new
virtual machine". It sets up the virtual hard disk, and I put in the XP
installation CD. The server console loads lots of files from the CD and
brings up the blue XP setup screen. To accept the license agreement, I am
supposed to hit F8. But this (and other fkey options available earlier in
the setup) are all ignored. Other keystrokes (ENTER, ESC) succeed.

I suspect this is a problem with my Debian installation, not a vmware
problem. I have also never gotten virtual terminals to come up with CTRL-
ALT-Fx from X, or ALT-Fx from a regular console. I posted this ("no virtual
terminals with fresh etch install", 1/16/07) and submitted it as bug 407228.
I never did get that straight, either, but those details are at:

http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=407228

For most of this I am running X with fvwm. I wonder if this might be a
keymap problem. The fkeys do work when I boot from an XP partition, and they
worked during the initial boot prompt for Debian installation. Under X,
ALT-e (for example) causes a non-ASCII character to display. But I have no
evidence that the fkeys are ever seen with X running.

I'd appreciate any ideas on how to get this working. Thanks.


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