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11 Replies Last post: Dec 23, 2007 7:53 PM by blix3  

Same vmx-vmdk runs on IDE disk but crashes on SATA posted: Dec 22, 2007 11:36 PM

Click to view blix3's profile Novice 17 posts since
Jun 22, 2007

I recently upgraded my HDD from a 160GB IDE to a 250GB SATA. All my programs and data made the transition smoothly, with the exception of the vmx-vmdk files for XPSP2. When Fusion tries to run the vmx, it crashes.

There were no hardware or software changes to my system (Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, OS X 10.4.10). I just cloned the old IDE to the new SATA, and all programs (MS Office, iLife 08, Firefox, etc. run fine, as they did on the previous disk. Fusion starts up fine, too, but when I try to run the vmx...CRASH.

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling Fusion and recopying the vmx and vmdk files from the old HDD. They still crash.

What could be the problem?


Re: Same vmx-vmdk runs on IDE disk but crashes on SATA

1. Dec 23, 2007 4:12 AM in response to: blix3
Click to view rcardona2k's profile Champion 5,211 posts since
Oct 20, 2005
When you "crash", what actually happens, does:
Windows not start and stay dark?
Windows generate a blue screen error?,
the Fusion application window disappear and OS X says Fusion quit unexpectedly?,
does your OS X screen dim with a power switch in the background?
something else?

You may need to provide some log files, try reading HOWTO: Ask (and Answer) Questions for details on where to locate them.

Re: Same vmx-vmdk runs on IDE disk but crashes on SATA

3. Dec 23, 2007 10:57 AM in response to: blix3
Click to view rcardona2k's profile Champion 5,211 posts since
Oct 20, 2005
Anytime you copy a VM you can introduce file permission access problems. First thing to try is run Apple's Disk Utility in Applications > Utilities and Repair Permissions for your disk(s). Next on the virtual machine bundle itself in Documents > Virtual Machines, try the directions in this message:

Re: tried fixes not working - VM permission issue

Re: Same vmx-vmdk runs on IDE disk but crashes on SATA

5. Dec 23, 2007 11:55 AM in response to: blix3
Click to view rcardona2k's profile Champion 5,211 posts since
Oct 20, 2005
VMware does not support (and can't) or test Fusion on "home-built" Intel boxes. Apple licensing does not sanction running OS X off their hardware in any way and you agreed to those terms when you bought your Mac or Leopard.

If you can not reproduce this problem on an Apple Mac, you have built a bed to lay in. There are Macs that definitely have SATA drives like newer MacBook Pros and MacPros, so that in itself may not be the issue. Apple tests their hardware controllers with the OS for very good reasons and Fusion makes deep use of the kernel and drivers in OS, it's not a run-of-the-mill Office app.

Sorry.

edit: remove comment about Core Duo + SATA as all MacBook Pros have SATA.

Re: Same vmx-vmdk runs on IDE disk but crashes on SATA

7. Dec 23, 2007 12:34 PM in response to: blix3
Click to view rcardona2k's profile Champion 5,211 posts since
Oct 20, 2005
blix3 wrote:
FYI, Apple made Macs with Core Duo (not Core 2 Duo) processors and SATA drives in 2006. I bought two of them, an iMac 20 with an Intel Core Duo and a 250GB 3.5" SATA HDD and a Macbook 13 with a Core Duo and a 120GB 2.5" SATA HDD.

Yes my mistake, sorry I corrected my statement, see the edit above. (This was before you replied but you may not have seen it.)

Also, I tried your suggestion regarding the ".vmwarevm" extension from the guest, confirming permissions for the folder, and then adding back the vmwarevm (although in my case, the extension was vmdk) and this did not prevent Fusion from crashing.

Changing the extension wasn't the point, it was to change the bundle to a folder so the Finder would let you apply recursive permissions. A Fusion-built VM has the bundle extension .vmwarevm which must be temporarily removed to expose the folder so the Finder can offer additional settings.

My homebuilt is a hobby. It has a Core 2 Duo and a 160GB IDE that runs Fusion fine and a 250GB SATA that doesn't. I can continue running Fusion on the former drive, but it would be nice to have the added space of the latter. I'll figure out how to do so, but on the off chance that someone else might have had the same experience, I thought I'd ask on the forum. Regarding your lecture to me on behalf of Apple, save your breath, or your typing. I bought multiple copies and family packs of the software and I'll run it on whatever hardware I want, thank you

I will not repeat my two sentence "lecture" and I didn't accuse you of anything like piracy - I own the Leopard family pack too, btw. In the interest of full-disclosure I thank you for admitting your configuration so you do not fruitlessly waste other people's time with your "hobbies." Sure if someone is running a similar configuration they can confirm or deny the problem. VMware will not support your configuration and based on the traffic here, this may not be the forum for this kind of experimenting. Enjoy your "new" machine.

Re: Same vmx-vmdk runs on IDE disk but crashes on SATA

9. Dec 23, 2007 2:26 PM in response to: blix3
Click to view rcardona2k's profile Champion 5,211 posts since
Oct 20, 2005
Right the difference between VMs brought from Workstation or made with Converter is these are simple files in a folder and referenced by the .vmx file. A Fusion bundle is a presentation formality. If you want to see what it looks like, add ".vmwarevm" to the folder enclosing the .vmx file and accept to add the ".vmwarevm" extension. Then the folder becomes a VMware Fusion VM bundle. It's still a folder, etc but the Finder presents it as a VM document bundle. Since your cloner takes care of permissions, the ownership and permissions should be OK. I wrote the instructions this way to keep users from changing permission on each file (.vmx, vmdk. vmss, .vmem, .vmsn, .log, etc). You can apply the permissions to your folder and ignore renaming the folder.

WinXP-f.jpg WinXP-GI.jpg WinXP-bundle.jpg

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