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Avatar of Ralph Scharping
Ralph ScharpingFlag for Germany

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VMware Converter does not start conversion

Good evening,

I am trying to convert a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition Domain Controller to VMware ESX 4.1 Update 1 using the Converter Standalone.  All quite normal, 32bit, 2 CPUs, 4GB.  Tobit Faxware is installed.  Also Terminal Services and some workstation-stuff (I know - not recommended.  It's only four users.)

It installs the agent fine, it start and finishes the snapshot successfully.  After about 4 minutes and 1% into the conversion (the VM is not yet created in ESX) it stopps saying the conversion fails.
No details.

I'm a bit helpless and don't know where to look.  Does anyone have an idea?

Thanks,
Ralph
Avatar of Luciano Patrão
Luciano Patrão
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Hi

First why P2V a domain controller if you can just build a new VM and then promote to DC? More easy, and safe.
Second, if not recommended P2V a DC.
Third, even you want to P2V a DC, never P2V a DC online. You need to perform this offline(cold migration).

Is this the only DC on the domain? Is there any more DCs?

Please take a look at my article how to P2V Windows Servers.

https://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/VMWare/A_3639-VMware-vConverter-P2V-for-Windows-Servers.html

Follow all the tasks(pre and post P2V) and this will reduce issues in the P2V or in the new VM.

Hope this can help

Jail
Seems like some communication issue, if it starts the conversion.

If you are not entitled to use the VMware Cold Clone Boot ISO, which is only available to VMware Converter Enterprise license-holders.

It's much safer and easier to use the following, create your own VMware Cold Clone Boot ISO, using the following URL for guidance

http://www.ardamis.com/2009/04/25/cold-cloning-vmware-converter/

This will create a BOOT CD, you can boot the physical server, and CLONE safely.
Avatar of Ralph Scharping

ASKER

Okay - not online.  Got that.

I have an Acronis license.  Is there a reason why I should not offline convert off an Acronis-image file?
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raja78in

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