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cleanair
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Converter Standalone changes system drive letter

I have a Windows 2003 server that I am trying to convert from a physial server to a VM guest using vCenter Converter Standalone. The original drive letters for this server are f: and g: where F: drive is my system boot drive. As I go through the process, the target says F: and G: drive but when it is done it gives me an error that no operating sytem found. I start the machine up and choose Windows Recovery mode and now see that the drive letters are changed to c: and d: drives which is why it will not start. I tried using diskpart from recovery mode but it will not allow me to change these drive letters. How do I get it to change or remain at F: and G: when using the vcenter converter?

Thanks.

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IamTHEvilONE
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Well, that explains a lot .. being a domain controller too.

There's a KB on that ...

Virtualizing existing domain controllers

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1006996



Regards,

EvilOne

VMware vExpert 2009

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continuum
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tricky - Converter does not handle unusual layouts well. You may have to fix this manually.

Please post screenshot of old disklayout and the new one - (screenshot of diskmanagement)

One workaround is to use dummy-disks so that the old layout is preserved.

The other workaround involves non-trivial registry hacks






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VMX-parameters- VMware-liveCD - VM-Sickbay


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Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

IamTHEvilONE
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Also include boot.ini in your response. This is part of the algorithm that Converter uses to detect the OS drive.

However, I think converter manually remaps at least the OS drive letter .... but the logs will tell us that.



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EvilOne

VMware vExpert 2009

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cleanair
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This server was a domain controller. I ended up promoting another server to DC and then taking it offline to seize all the FSMO roles.

Just to let you know what I tried. I could not send a screen shot of the new disk layout because the server would not start windows to even get to the disk management for layout. All it would allow me to do was get to the recovery console which gave me limited commands. I then did an NT backup of the server and tried to restore to a fresh install windows 2003 server but when I tried to do NT restore it would not restore because the new server had c and d drives and no f or g. I then try to add an f and g and restore. Even though I could restore the server, it still had the c and d drive and the restore did no good. So I tried to build a new 2003 server with an f and g as system drives, but windows 2003 server will not allow that. Come to find out, the server with the f and g was originally a Windows 2000 server that had been upgraded to a windows 2003 server so that was the only reason that server was able to have the disk layout like that to start with. So after hours of trying this and that, I found it much easier just to promote another server as the PDC, seize the roles and just forget about trying to restore or convert the server with the not supported disk layout.

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cleanair
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Also tried the boot.ini change but basically as you can see from my last post, it didn't do any good because 2003 server does not support that disk layout and the only reason it worked was because it had been upgraded from a windows 2000 server. I do appreciate everyones responses and trying to assist me. Thanks.

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IamTHEvilONE
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Well, that explains a lot .. being a domain controller too.

There's a KB on that ...

Virtualizing existing domain controllers

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1006996



Regards,

EvilOne

VMware vExpert 2009

5441_5441.jpg

NOTE: If your problem or questions has been resolved, please mark this thread as answered and award points accordingly.

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continuum
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... because 2003 server does not support that disk layout

what ? - here I am using 2003 fresh installed with even more weird disklayouts.

Having system drive as F: is no problem in itself




___________________________________

VMX-parameters- VMware-liveCD - VM-Sickbay


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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Manisanjay
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Hi

You can try this option but it is a long process. You can create one new virtual disk say 5 GB on the same vm and install fresh OS on the new 5 GB virtual disk .Then boot the server and goto disk management and change the drive letter of the old disk to F and restart.

Once you are able to boot from your f drive then delete the 5 GB virtual disk.

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