Steps were to use either a Windows 7 install from previous VMware player 6.0.3 or to do a fresh install of Windows 7 on a new installation of VMware player 7.0.0. After the install is finished sound is initially configured for stereo which works correctly. Change to 5.1 surround (there are two choices---either option behaves the same way). Speaker test then plays as follows:
Left front plays through left front speaker.
Center plays through center speaker.
Right front --> no sound.
Left rear and right rear --> no sound.
Subwoofer plays through right front speaker.
As I noted, 5.1 surround worked in VMware 6.*, albeit with some channels playing through the wrong speakers. This was fixable with rerouting.
I have attached /var/log/vmware-installer. I could not find any of the other files you requested in the /var/log/ folder. There were several "vmware-usbarb-*" files in the /var/log/vmware folder. Since I am using onboard sound (Intel HDAudio) I don't know that they would be relevant.
Thanks for your help.