Question

VMWare Invalid snapshot configuration error

Asked by: DCMBS

I have a virtual server in VMWare 3.01 ESX server that I am unable to backup or snapshot.  The error I get is "an invalid snapshot configuration has been detected".  The VMWare log shows a reference to a file that is not part of the VM as follows
SNAPSHOT unable to find all files for windows2003 R2.vmdk
SNAPSHOT:snapshotConfigInfoExpandDisks:Error 7
SNAPSHOT:snapshotConfigInfoExpand:Error 7
Can anyone help me to fix this problem?

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Asked On
2008-05-30 at 05:57:11ID23444384
Topic

VMware

Participating Experts
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Answers

 

by: jfields71Posted on 2008-05-30 at 07:02:22ID: 21677799

This may help you: http://communities.vmware.com/message/482558#482558

In the case of that thread, cloning the VM to a new VM fixed the snapshotting issue.  

 

by: DCMBSPosted on 2008-05-30 at 07:25:10ID: 21677997

Thanks ifields71

My problem is that I don't have enough space to clone the server.  The main reason for wanting to back it up is to wipe the array and add more disks.  I have several Virtual servers and this is the biggest, the other servers backup OK so I just need to fix this problem so I can wipe the array, reformat and restore the servers.  Any one know if this can fixed by editing a config file or something ?

 

by: DCMBSPosted on 2008-05-30 at 08:05:52ID: 21678449

I have solved this myself.
There is a file in the folder with a .vmsd extension.
Inside this file are two lines
snapshot.numSnapshots="1"
snapshot.current="1"

I amended both of these to
snapshot.numSnapshots="0"
snapshot.current="0"
and I was able to snapshot the server.

 

by: melevyPosted on 2008-10-15 at 05:56:49ID: 22720386

Thank you, DCMBS for posting how you solved the problem. It worked for me too!

 

by: blokemanPosted on 2009-06-22 at 07:16:43ID: 24682691

I wonder whether this would have been a complete fix.
What if there were delta files, Would they be lost if using the "ACCEPTED SOLUTION" settings?

snapshot.numSnapshots="0"
snapshot.current="0"

 

by: DCMBSPosted on 2009-06-22 at 07:33:54ID: 24682873

Hi Blokeman.
After applying the fix I was able to snapshot the VM so this would have preserved the VM in its current state.

 

by: blokemanPosted on 2009-06-22 at 08:14:28ID: 24683275

Hi DCMBS
Maybe this would have helped your situation:
vmware-cmd path_to_vmxfile removesnapshots
Commits all delta files and then deletes the snapshot

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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