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7 Replies Last post: Apr 26, 2008 2:45 PM by Troy Clavell
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Running virtual machine display as power off state

Apr 25, 2008 9:42 PM

Click to view kaychan's profile Hot Shot kaychan 373 posts since
Apr 9, 2005
Hi,

I have a virtual machine up and running without any problem. However, under virtual center it is in "power off" state. When tried to power it on there is error "operation time out" (I guess because the VM is actually running). VMtool is shown as "not running" but when I RDP to the VM, the VMtool service is running.

Anyone has any idea why this happen and how to fix it? Do I just need to power down the VM and then power it back on ??

Thanks.
Reply Re: Running virtual machine display as power off state Apr 25, 2008 10:07 PM
Click to view Troy Clavell's profile Guru Troy Clavell 4,832 posts since
Oct 12, 2007
if you are running patched 3.0.1 or base ESX 3.0.2 or a patched 3.5 you can safely run these two commands on the ESX server with the VM that is showing as powered of in VC, it may fix the problem

At the service console type

service vmware-vpxa restart


service mgmt-vmware restart

Reply Re: Running virtual machine display as power off state Apr 26, 2008 2:07 PM
in response to: Troy Clavell
Click to view kaychan's profile Hot Shot kaychan 373 posts since
Apr 9, 2005
I am running virtual center 2.01 and ESX 3.01.
Also there are other 29 VMs running on the same ESX server and they are OK under VC, only this one is indicated as Power Off although it is up and running.
Reply Re: Running virtual machine display as power off state Apr 26, 2008 2:21 PM
in response to: kaychan
Click to view java_cat33's profile Master java_cat33 1,080 posts since
Aug 29, 2007

Refer to this kb article.....

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=7557441

If this is you - don't restart the services as mentioned. Instead, you could re-configer your host to not autostart your VM's and then restart the services.

However I would restart mgmt-vmware service first.

Reply Re: Running virtual machine display as power off state Apr 26, 2008 2:25 PM
in response to: kaychan
Click to view Troy Clavell's profile Guru Troy Clavell 4,832 posts since
Oct 12, 2007

I'm trying to find the KB article that says if you restart the hostd process, your VM's may power off. I know this is a known issue with Base 3.5, but i'm not 100% positive if it is an issue with 3.0.1. What patch level are you at?


I'm pretty sure restarting the mgmt service and/or the vc agent will fix the problem. One other thing you can try, is to disconnect the host from VC, then remove it and add it back in.

I just want to send caution because i don't want you to do something and have your VM's power off.

Reply Re: Running virtual machine display as power off state Apr 26, 2008 2:28 PM
in response to: java_cat33
Click to view Troy Clavell's profile Guru Troy Clavell 4,832 posts since
Oct 12, 2007
java_cat33 wrote:

Refer to this kb article.....

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=7557441

If this is you - don't restart the services as mentioned. Instead, you could re-configer your host to not autostart your VM's and then restart the services.

However I would restart mgmt-vmware service first.

Good find!! I knew it was out there somewhere. If OP is has this patch, restarting the hostd process should fix it!
Reply Re: Running virtual machine display as power off state Apr 26, 2008 2:34 PM
in response to: Troy Clavell
Click to view kaychan's profile Hot Shot kaychan 373 posts since
Apr 9, 2005
Thanks for the info.

I am just too nervous to restart the vmware service of the host because there are 27 other Vms running fine. I am not sure if I power down this VM and power it back on could fix the problem.
Reply Re: Running virtual machine display as power off state Apr 26, 2008 2:45 PM
in response to: kaychan
Click to view Troy Clavell's profile Guru Troy Clavell 4,832 posts since
Oct 12, 2007
I understand... Try the disconnect then remove host from VC and add it back in. That may help as well.

Other than that you can try to VMotion all the other running VM's to new hosts on a temp basis, then restart the services or finally, try to restart your VCMS service.
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