Too many vmdk files in the datastore for same VM machine?

Yes Snapshot create VMDKs. DO NOT DELETE THEM.
You need to consolidate your snapshots. Snapshots should only be used for a very short time maybe 24 hours.

Read this article it will help.  
https://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/VMWare/A_10300-HOW-TO-VMware-Snapshots-Be-Patient.html

Ok, I will check to see and delete them via snapshot manager.
Will keep you posted.

Check my EE Article *BEFORE* you do anything!


HOW TO: VMware Snapshots :- Be Patient

Thank you.
I noticed I am running on VMmachine-00004.vmdk

How can I run on the original one.

I upgraded my windows server and application after I made the snapshot.
How can I make this my main machine instead of a snapshot.
Is there a way to swicth to VMmachine.vmdk rather than VMmachine-00004.vmdk?

Does your links provide a solution in case of my case?
If not, how do I resolve this?

Okay you have a snapshot.

Yes, my article will resolve your situation....

BUT, how large are the snapshots?

it could take, many days, hours, minutes, seconds to merge and delete the snapshot!

and when you start the action *YOU CANNOT STOP IT*

104 gigs

That is a very large snapshot.

check that you have enough storage to complete the merge.

I would recommend, a power off of the VM, and the, select DELETE ALL, and Be Very Patient.

Do not cancel, do not restart host, do not fiddle or tweak, this could take many hours to complete.

there is another method of getting out of Snapshot hell?

Do you have vCenter Server?

yes, i have vcenter server.
also, before reading your second post, there were two other snapshots that I deleted.
they were number ###02.vmdk
#####03.vmdk
Watz up with vcenter?

When you say deleted you mean through Snapshot management not directly from the data store correct?

yes, through snapshot manager

i do not dare play around in the datastore

Correct. Did you check you free space like Andrew said?

i assigned the vm a total of 100gigs.
The break down is:
(c) 51.2GB free of 99.1GB
(d) system reserved=1.41mb free of 99.9mb
(f) windows2012SR=244mb free of 488mb

partition (f) is the system resaerved for when I updated windows 2012 from 2008r2

the orginal vmdk = provisioned=100GB
size = 84GB

the snapshot ##0004.vmdk=provisioned 100GB
size=32GB

YOU MUST NOT JUST DELETE THE FILES!

You must delete the Snapshot through Snapshot Manager, does the Snapshot appear in Snapshot Manager?

It would be easier if you could upload a screenshot of the vm folder datastore, for me to see?

That is not too bad 32 GB. The provisioned space will always be the size of the original disk's provisioned space. Mind you 32 GB is still very big and can take a long time to delete. Like Andrew said if you can shut down your VM to delete the Snapshot it will go faster.

No, I did not just delete the files.
I used snapshot manager to delete the snapshots.
see attached image:
imageofdatastore.JPG

How much free space do you have int he datastore?

600 gigs

How do I get the running snapshot to no longer be a running snapshot?
i need those changes to apply to the original vmdk?
How do I proceed?
the aricles on the links above provided no solution.
pls advise.
thanx.

1. Select Snapshot Manager.
2. Select DELETE ALL.

Are the snapshots listed in Snapshot Manager.

you should see 3/4 snapshots?

Is your VM still running on a snapshot?

it could be stuck, and I can work with you and hold your hand, and guide you.

Edit the VM Setttings, and Check your disk settings, is it -00004.vmdk etc

I see 2 vmdk files identical in provisioned size.
the other two I deleted it before I was told not to, but I used snapshot manager to delete them.
If I use the 'delete all' snapshots from snapshot manager, wold that delete my current state?
Or will it merge it with the original vmdk?
Will it overwrite the original vmdk from the numbered VDMK?

see above image that I sent earlier, ity is the full contents of the folder for the vm from the datastore.

DELETE ALL will MERGE ALL CHANGES into the current parent file.

It does not overwite, you have a

parent vmdk + child vmdk

the child vmdk contains all the changes, these will be merged with the parebnt vmdk disk.

and the child will then be deleted.

can you check VM Settings, Edit Disk Settings, to confirm if the VM is on a snapshot?

I cannot tell from the datastore screenshot

see attached pic
serversnapshot.JPG

what does it look like in VM Settings.

1. Right Click VM
2. Edit Settings
3. Select Disk
4. Screenshot for me?

see attached pic
its the ####-0004.vmdk
settingsimage.JPG

okay, the machine still has a snapshot attached.

we can try this....

1. Take a new snapshot
2. Check Snapshot manager, it should be present maybe?
3. Wait 60 seconds
4. Select Delete ALL....and wait...

what would happen if I delete the last snapshot?

through snapshot manager
it allow me do so

when the snapshot is deleted correctly through Snapshot Manager, it's merged with the parent disk.

if you manually remove files from the datastore, you will corrupt the VM disk.

      
Select Inventory > The Virtual Machine > Snapshot > Take Snapshot.

that is how I always done it, through the snapshot manager.
can I use that to delete the last one or should I do it using "delete all"?
do i need to create a new one as one of the previous comments on this chat?
Can i simply 'delete all' or simply 'delete' the current snapshot from snapshot manager?

Thank you.
I just started it.
I practiced on non-essential machine before doing the one I needed.
Thank you for everything.
Will post back after I am done.

No problems, grab a cup of java, and be patient!

I am going home shortly, I'll let it run on it's own.
Later tonight I will log on and turn the VM on.

This so much better than the past, having to stay in the office waiting for things to complete.
Now I run things, go home, and check from home.

Thanks again.

Safe Journey home.

Thank you Andrew.
All went well.
Sorry for the delay, too much snow made life difficult and forgetting for me.
Thanks again for your assistance.