Hi,
Re. Synaptic. In Windows 7 control panel, check "Add / Remove Programs" and make sure there's no software in there mentioning Synaptic.
It's not about you using it, but all about the drivers of that software interfering with VMware keyboard drivers.
As for "can you clone a running OS".. yes. that's exactly what you can do with VMware Converter.
VMware vCenter Converter Standalone
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Wil