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Not able to start virtual server after copying .vmdk file

After copying a virtual server from one SAN disk to Another I am not able to start up the virtual server (Windows 2008 R2) - I get the attached screen (Windows error)

I am running on 2 ESXI 5.0 hosts and configeruring through Vsphere.

This is what I have done:

1. Shut down virtual server
2. Browsed to the two folders where the vmx file and vmdk file are placed
3. Copyied all content to new disk on SAN
4. Removed the old hard disk under settings on the server in the inventory through Vsphere - and added the copied disk in the new location.
5. Started the virtual server - and it does not start

I have tried the following to fix the problem

1. Removed the copied disk and replaced it with the old disk
2. Tried to boot in the different safe modes - not possible! Goes in to blue screen very fast and then reboots into safe mode site.

Please advice

Thanks
windows-error.png
Avatar of jijjhn
jijjhn

When you turn on the VM  did you get any message says that .uuid.altered or I moved it ?
You have removed all the snapshots ? please refer the VM ware KB article

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1000936
Avatar of Luxor_like

ASKER

To jijhn
It was a bit strange because I only got the message when i changed the virtual disk back to the original disk after I realized that the copy procedure went wrong. I choosed the "copy" option. I never got the option .uuid.altered.

The virtual server only consist of 1 .vmdk disk with no snapshots taken ever.

 

I
Avatar of Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
see my EE Article, Step by Step Tutorial Instructions with Screenshots

HOW TO: Select the right answer to "I Moved It" or "I Copied It" in VMware vSphere (ESXi)

Did you add the disks back for the

1. correct storage controller?

2. correct SCSI ID?
I never changed the setting in the vmx file I just added the old disk again.
The old settings was :

LSI logic SAS

SCSI (0:9) hard disk 1
sorry SCSI (0:0) hard disk 1!!
Do you have backup of the VM before you started and modified it?
No :o(
How about creating a new VM with exact specifications and selecting "use an existing virtual disk" and pointing it to the copied vmdk.
I have tried that, but I will try it again..

I found a year old backup of the vmdk disk - the server is running citrix licensing server and citrix database store and I am not sure what will happen in the citrix environment when an old replica boots ?
So no full backup was made before you made any changes to a Production Server ?
I still get the safe mode screen when i create a new server with the existing disk
I know it sounds very stupid - but no...

Is there a way to make a consistency check on the .vmdk file?
Boot this newly created VM with the OS disk (2008 R2) and select "Repair your computer" on Install Windows screen.

Get into command prompt by clicking on "command prompt" option and run chkdsk

chkdsk C: /F

If you do not have the disk available now, try tapping F8 as soon as you power ON the VM. It will take you to "Advanced Boot Options" -- select "Repair your computer" and then you can get into command prompt and run chkdsk and also perform "startup repair" and "system restore" if need be.

** Additionally, under "Advanced boot options" you can select "Disable automatic restart on system failure" and that will usually give a Blue Screen with error code rather than simply restarting OS. If we can get the error code, we can probably drill down to what the issue is and get a solution to it.

Hope, you production VM fires to desktop after attempting repair and/or chkdsk
ok I will try that. When the server is starting the safe mode page I get a memory alert on the server in Vsphere? Would it be ok trying to increase  the amount of memory on the virtual machine?
No harm in increasing VM memory, if there is enough physical memory available on host. BTW, why are you getting memory related error? Is your host running low on memory?
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Luxor_like
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