Strange graphics problem on Virtual Machine
Hello,
We have a print server (Server 2008 32bit, VMware virtual machine) which often has strange graphics problems.
Icons seem to just appear as black squares and menu's often are displayed strangely. Please see the attached screen grab as an example (often it is worse than this example).
If I reboot, everything will be normal for a while and then the problem will come back.
Sometimes I see the problem when I connect via RDP AND vSphere, but sometimes I will only see the problem in RDP OR vSphere.
I have messed around with resolutions etc and it doesnt seem to help.
Any ideas what might be causing the problem?
Print-Server.JPG
We have a print server (Server 2008 32bit, VMware virtual machine) which often has strange graphics problems.
Icons seem to just appear as black squares and menu's often are displayed strangely. Please see the attached screen grab as an example (often it is worse than this example).
If I reboot, everything will be normal for a while and then the problem will come back.
Sometimes I see the problem when I connect via RDP AND vSphere, but sometimes I will only see the problem in RDP OR vSphere.
I have messed around with resolutions etc and it doesnt seem to help.
Any ideas what might be causing the problem?
Print-Server.JPG
Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
Have you installed VMware Tools ?
ASKER
Yes, VMWare tools is installed and up to date as per our other servers (which dont have this problem).
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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fieldj,
It's not probably a problem with vSphere, it's MS Windows platform problem.
In most cases black square icons is a problem with corrupted thumbnail cache, you should do a chkdsk c: /f (so check the disk for logical errors, good for you will be making a backup of that vm before doing it) and then run disk cleanup tool (disk cleanup is a part of "deaktop experience" feature of ms windows 2008, so before running it you have to install the feature).
Regards
NTShad0w
It's not probably a problem with vSphere, it's MS Windows platform problem.
In most cases black square icons is a problem with corrupted thumbnail cache, you should do a chkdsk c: /f (so check the disk for logical errors, good for you will be making a backup of that vm before doing it) and then run disk cleanup tool (disk cleanup is a part of "deaktop experience" feature of ms windows 2008, so before running it you have to install the feature).
Regards
NTShad0w
ASKER
Harper - which driver? The VMware SVGA II display adapter?
Davvid - I dont think this is a problem to do with the thumbnail cache. My example just shows a problem with the thumbnails, but we frequently see other graphics problems with different windows being on top of each other and the start menu also being weird.
Annoyingly its only the thumbnails which is displaying weirdly at the moment, but often it is other stuff as well. I will get a screenshot if I can.
Davvid - I dont think this is a problem to do with the thumbnail cache. My example just shows a problem with the thumbnails, but we frequently see other graphics problems with different windows being on top of each other and the start menu also being weird.
Annoyingly its only the thumbnails which is displaying weirdly at the moment, but often it is other stuff as well. I will get a screenshot if I can.
Yeah try to just delete that and reboot...see if that works.
hmm,
mate, if You see it also via RDP... RDP have nothing to vSphere/esxi and their graphic drivers, etc.
Sure there is a possibility that you have both problems, with vmware tools graphics drivers (and maybe vm properties memory size for Video card should be 8-32MB for single display) and also MS windows problems with thumbnails cache...
regards
NTShad0w
mate, if You see it also via RDP... RDP have nothing to vSphere/esxi and their graphic drivers, etc.
Sure there is a possibility that you have both problems, with vmware tools graphics drivers (and maybe vm properties memory size for Video card should be 8-32MB for single display) and also MS windows problems with thumbnails cache...
regards
NTShad0w
ASKER
Ok, I deleted the driver and interestingly it has returned to the 'standard VGA driver'.
At the moment the graphics are looking OK in both RDP and vSphere, but I will leave it a few days to check that this has completely completed the problem.
At the moment the graphics are looking OK in both RDP and vSphere, but I will leave it a few days to check that this has completely completed the problem.
mate,
Give it some time (1-2 weeks), make some restarts, log on apps/consoles that you use on that server.
There is also a possibility that you may have some registry corruption that corresponding in fact with any graphics driver or just installed some application that doing it (there are some MS apps that may make such symptoms).
Then reinstall Vmware tools what will install graphics driver again. Also check that your VM is set to correct operating system in VM properties (VM properties/Options/General
regards
NTShad0w
Give it some time (1-2 weeks), make some restarts, log on apps/consoles that you use on that server.
There is also a possibility that you may have some registry corruption that corresponding in fact with any graphics driver or just installed some application that doing it (there are some MS apps that may make such symptoms).
Then reinstall Vmware tools what will install graphics driver again. Also check that your VM is set to correct operating system in VM properties (VM properties/Options/General
regards
NTShad0w
ASKER
I think it was really as simple as this - looking good now.
It might take a few weeks to be certain that the problem is resolved, but I am happy to award the points.
It might take a few weeks to be certain that the problem is resolved, but I am happy to award the points.