VMware exporter "unable to determine guest operating system" with Windows 2008 server VM

Hi,

I found some information that might help.

1. Make sure that that the VM is not currently running in VMware Server.

2. Make sure that VMware Server does not have a lock on the VMs files. You have have to stop all VMware Server Services and/or reboot the (VMWare) server.

3. Make sure you have appropriate permissions to the VMs files. This was the problem we were having. I had read only access to the share that the files were located on. I dont know the specific permissions needed, but Full Control resolved the issue. I assume that some lower level of permission would suffice.

information gotten from :
http://www.vi411.org/2007/03/08/vmware-converter-unable-to-determine-guest-operating-system.html

I hope it helps.

Goodluck,
Xfreddie

I should have clarified that this is happening on ESX servers and Virtual Center Foundation 2.5 not VMware server.

ok, which version/build of ESX and Virtual center?
And you want to move a VM from one ESX host to another ESX host without shared storage?

It's ESX server 3.5 update 2 (patched) and VI 2.5.
For now I want to export the 2008 server VM to the same VI system, doesn't matter which ESX host. I want to use the exporter to get a chance to resize the virtual hard drives. I can do this with other Windows 200X versions.

Unfortunately, Platespin doesn't support it either: http://www.platespin.com/products/powerconvert/requirements.aspx

You could try a partition imaging tool like gparted or Acronis to perform the conversion.