Can't Find vmware-mount

[LouKur]

Newbie. Thought I installed everything from VMware-workstation-full-7.1.3-324285.exe, but I can't find vmware-mount. Is this a separate product? Did I not install something? I can't find where it is for sale? I can't find a separate download for it. I can't find installation instructions for it, only instructions on how to use.

[WoodyZ · Accepted solution]

The ability to mount a VMware virtual disk in Windows is built-in to VMware Workstation 7 from the File menu select Map or Disconnect Virtual Disks...

Message was edited by: WoodyZ - Removed link to old version of vmware-mount.

[continuum]

latest version of that tool is here
http://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/

[LouKur]

Thank you so much. Boy was I chasing the wrong idea here. You saved me a ton of grief!

[LouKur]

Ouch. Does not work. I get a drive letter mapped, but when I try to access the drive with Windows 7 Professional [64 bit] Explorer I get:

Location is not available
M:\ is not accessible
Incorrect function

[LouKur]

Thanks!

Tried that too, get same error.

[continuum]

probably you used the wrong syntax - post it - we had the same issue recently when the user skipped the /v parameter

[LouKur]

Do you just copy/paste that for every response?

I can mount using:
vmware-mount.exe X: LOUXPS.vmdk
OR
vmware-mount.exe X: LOUXPS.vmdk /m:w

But when I try to run vmware-vdiskmanager -p X: I get:
Failed to prepare the disk mounted at 'X' for shrinking.

Also get same errors with Windows Explorer with  drive mounted via vmware-mount

I have tried your suggestion of the /v parameter from another thread:
vmware-mount.exe X: LOUXPS.vmdk /m:w /v:2

I get:
Unable to mount the virtual disk. The disk may be in use by a virtual
machine, may not have enough volumes or mounted under another drive
letter. If not, verify that the file is a valid virtual disk file.

[continuum]

> Do you just copy/paste that for every response?

what are you talking about ???

does the vmdk has a snapshot ?
does it have a lock-directory ?
was the VM using that vmdk last suspended ?

If you boot the VM - check in diskmanagement for the partition number

[LouKur]

Thanks for the checklist.

does the vmdk has a snapshot ?

No

does it have a lock-directory ?

Only when it is mounted.

was the VM using that vmdk last suspended ?

Yes

If you boot the VM - check in diskmanagement for the partition number

It says volume 1.

[continuum]

you can NOT mount suspended vmdks - start teh VM and shut it down

then use vmware-mount.exe x: <fullpath to vmdk> /m:w /v:1

[LouKur]

Nothing suspended, tried:

C:\"Program Files (x86)"\VMware\"VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit"\bin\vmware-mount x: LOUXPS.vmdk /m:w /v:1

Dirve mounts like always, but is unusable. Same error messages.

Thanks for responding.

[continuum]

thats unexpected - please create a directory listing - maybe something else is blocking mount

[continuum]

by the way - which guest created that vmdk ?

for windows7 and 2008 r2 vmdks the vddk does not work well - but those vmdks can be mounted with the buildin-tool from WS 7.1.3

[WoodyZ]

C:\"Program Files (x86)"\VMware\"VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit"\bin\vmware-mount x: LOUXPS.vmdk /m:w /v:1

Why are you quoting the pathname in the manner you are?  I would never do it that way and instead use the following convention.

"C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit\bin\vmware-mount" x: LOUXPS.vmdk /m:w /v:1

[LouKur]

Having the problem with a physical machine converted by Workstation. I don't know which utility, just followed the menus. Also having the problem with a disk converted by Ghost 12.0 from a backup. The origin of the vmdk does not seem to matter.

[JohnPeterson]

But when I try to run vmware-vdiskmanager -p X: I get:

The only reason I'm running a command line mount is for use with vmware-vdiskmanager -p too.

Why did you opt to require a mounted volume for -p to work? Why can't you let it work directly on a vmdk file?

All things considered I think you should let the -p command operate on a vmdk file to save the trouble to get additional software in form of the Virtual Disk Development Kit.

Thanks!

[continuum]

vmware-vdiskmanager is a simple function that writes a wiperfile on a mounted volume.
So using it without a mount-tool first is impossible