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SirGundam
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VMDK missing Descriptor file

Morning Everyone,

Recently I've encountered a problem on one of my VMs not starting due to missing descriptor files. I've looked at how to make a descriptor file but I am only a maintainer of a network I don't really work with command lines much on a ESX server and I am not to confident when it comes to this. I am here asking if it is possible that someone more experienced could help out with making a descriptor file.

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continuum
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Here you go

the six vmdk descriptors plus a suggestion for the VMX-file.

I am not sure wether you can use both 000002.vmdks - last run filled up the VMFS-volume so we have to expect truncated deltafiles.

Checked several times but probably still overlooked small syntax issues.

Report results before you try anything strange

If your first start fails and you get complaints about "file smaller than expected - truncated maybe ?"

then use

scsi0:0.fileName = "NIAPS-000001.vmdk"

instead of

scsi0:0.fileName = "NIAPS-000002.vmdk"

or for the other disk

scsi0:1.fileName = "NIAPS_1-000001.vmdk"

instead of

scsi0:1.fileName = "NIAPS_1-000002.vmdk"

If for what ever reason you need to reset the CIDs after a first attempt then

reset both CID and parentCID to 12345678.

Good luck - report problems

Ulli

########### "NIAPS.vmdk" #############################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfs"

# Extent description

RW 314572800 VMFS "NIAPS-flat.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

#DDB

ddb.adapterType = ""lsilogic"

ddb.geometry.cylinders = ""19581"

ddb.geometry.heads = ""255"

ddb.geometry.sectors = ""63"

########### "NIAPS-000001.vmdk" ##########################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfsSparse"

parentFileNameHint="NIAPS.vmdk"

# Extent description

RW 314572800 VMFSSPARSE "NIAPS-000001-delta.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

########### "NIAPS-000002.vmdk" ############################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfsSparse"

parentFileNameHint="NIAPS-000001.vmdk"

# Extent description

RW 314572800 VMFSSPARSE "NIAPS-000002-delta.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

########### "NIAPS_1.vmdk" #############################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfs"

# Extent description

RW 2936012800 VMFS "NIAPS_1-flat.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

#DDB

ddb.adapterType = ""lsilogic"

ddb.geometry.cylinders = ""182758"

ddb.geometry.heads = ""255"

ddb.geometry.sectors = ""63"

########### "NIAPS_1-000001.vmdk" #######################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfsSparse"

parentFileNameHint="NIAPS_1.vmdk"

# Extent description

RW 2936012800 VMFSSPARSE "NIAPS_1-000001-delta.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

########### "NIAPS_1-000002.vmdk" #########################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfsSparse"

parentFileNameHint="NIAPS_1-000001.vmdk"

# Extent description

RW 2936012800 VMFSSPARSE "NIAPS_1-000002-delta.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

########################## NIAPS.vmx ########################################

### if you an encoding line here copy it from another working vmx-file #####################

chipset.onlineStandby = "FALSE"                            

config.version = "8"                                                                          

deploymentPlatform = "windows"                         

displayName = "NIAPS"                  

ethernet0.addressType = "vpx"                            

ethernet0.generatedAddress = "00:50:56:bc:4b:a6"                    

ethernet0.networkName = "g-MGMT"                            

ethernet0.pciSlotNumber = "32"                              

ethernet0.present = "TRUE"                        

ethernet0.virtualDev = "e1000"                           

evcCompatibilityMode = "FALSE"                           

extendedConfigFile = "NIAPS.vmxf"                         

floppy0.clientDevice = "TRUE"                           

floppy0.fileName = "/dev/fd0"                       

floppy0.present = "TRUE"                      

floppy0.startConnected = "FALSE"                             

guestCPUID.0 = "0000000b756e65476c65746e49656e69"                   

guestCPUID.1 = "000106a500010800809822010febbbff"                   

guestCPUID.80000001 = "00000000000000000000000128100800"                          

guestOS = "winnetstandard"              

guestOSAltName = "Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit)"                     

hostCPUID.0 = "0000000b756e65476c65746e49656e69"                  

hostCPUID.1 = "000106a500100800009ce3bdbfebfbff"                  

hostCPUID.80000001 = "00000000000000000000000128100800"                         

ide1:0.clientDevice = "TRUE"                          

ide1:0.deviceType = "atapi-cdrom"                        

ide1:0.fileName =""                      

ide1:0.present = "TRUE"                     

ide1:0.startConnected = "FALSE"                            

memsize = "4096"              

migration.vmxDisabled = "FALSE"                            

numvcpus = "2"               

nvram = "NIAPS.nvram"            

pciBridge0.pciSlotNumber = "17"                               

pciBridge0.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge4.functions = "8"                           

pciBridge4.pciSlotNumber = "21"                               

pciBridge4.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge4.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"                            

pciBridge5.functions = "8"                           

pciBridge5.pciSlotNumber = "22"                               

pciBridge5.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge5.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"                            

pciBridge6.functions = "8"                           

pciBridge6.pciSlotNumber = "23"                               

pciBridge6.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge6.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"                            

pciBridge7.functions = "8"                           

pciBridge7.pciSlotNumber = "24"                               

pciBridge7.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge7.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"           

scsi0.pciSlotNumber = "16"                          

scsi0.present = "TRUE"                    

scsi0.sharedBus = "none"                      

scsi0.virtualDev = "lsilogic"                       

scsi0:0.deviceType = "scsi-hardDisk"                         

scsi0:0.fileName = "NIAPS-000002.vmdk"                       

scsi0:0.present = "TRUE"                      

scsi0:1.deviceType = "scsi-hardDisk"                         

scsi0:1.fileName = "NIAPS_1-000002.vmdk"                       

scsi0:1.present = "TRUE"                     

tools.remindInstall = "FALSE"                          

tools.syncTime = "FALSE"

tools.upgrade.policy = "useGlobal"                           

unity.customColor = "#C0C0C0"                        

usb.pciSlotNumber = "34"                        

usb.present = "TRUE"                  

usb:0.deviceType = "mouse" 

usb:0.present = "TRUE"                    

usb:1.deviceType = "hub"                       

usb:1.present = "TRUE"        

userCPUID.0 = "0000000b756e65476c65746e49656e69"                  

userCPUID.1 = "000106a500100800009822010febbbff"                  

userCPUID.80000001 = "00000000000000000000000128100800"                         

uuid.bios = "56 4d 38 89 c8 d0 93 91-a1 0d 1d e9 67 1c 51 72"                

uuid.location = "56 4d 38 89 c8 d0 93 91-a1 0d 1d e9 67 1c 51 72"                    

vc.uuid = "52 2d 99 b3 7c 6e 44 c6-dd 32 43 59 a9 47 82 7a"              

virtualHW.productCompatibility = "hosted"                                

virtualHW.version = "7"                        

vmci0.id = "1729909109"               

vmci0.pciSlotNumber = "33"                          

vmci0.present = "TRUE"                    

vmotion.checkpointFBSize = "4194304" 

############################# end #################################################


________________________________________________
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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16 Replies
RDPetruska
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Attach the vmware.log file(s) from the VM's folder.  Preferrably one where the VM was successfully launched.

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SirGundam
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I've attached a log of its last good start up, Thank you for your assistance

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continuum
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If you want to use the flat.vmdk in ESXi use this as NIAPS.vmdk

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfs"

# Extent description

RW 314572800 VMFS "NIAPS-flat.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

#DDB

ddb.adapterType = "lsilogic"

ddb.geometry.cylinders = "19581"

ddb.geometry.heads = "255"

ddb.geometry.sectors = "63"

If you want to run the VM in Workstation use this version as NIAPS.vmdk

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="windows-1252"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="monolithicFlat"

# Extent description

RW 314572800 FLAT "NIAPS-flat.vmdk" 0

# The Disk Data Base

#DDB

ddb.adapterType = "lsilogic"

ddb.geometry.cylinders = "19581"

ddb.geometry.heads = "255"

ddb.geometry.sectors = "63"

Please note the small but relevant differences - flat.vmdk will work as is on both platforms.

Not sure if you ask for NIAPS.vmdk or NIAPS_1.vmdk.

let me know if you need NIAPS_1.vmdk.


________________________________________________
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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RDPetruska
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Try this one...

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continuum
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Rob - the one you created will not work.

The RW ... line you created is for monolithicFlat but you announce it as createType vmfs. Create vmfs does not use the 0 at the end of the line.

If you want - lets look into the script you used and fix it

Ulli


________________________________________________
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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SirGundam
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Thank you I copied and pasted the one you mentioned under the VM workstation and it found the NIAPS.vmdk as a virtual disk. And Rob im sorry but the one I used from your zip file did not work.

Is it possible to get ones also for the other following vmdks mentioned in snapshot I attached.

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continuum
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Please send a standard screenshot as png or jpg.

Dont have a tool to read docx


________________________________________________
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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SirGundam
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Reattached as a PNG as Requested

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continuum
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So you need 5 more ?

Do you want it to be ESXi compatible or WS-compatible ?


________________________________________________
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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SirGundam
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I believe ESXi compatible would be the option I need.

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RDPetruska
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Ahh, the routine found the vmfs line before any other, I suppose... so when I added the createType line, it populated with vmfs.

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continuum
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Sorry for the delay ...

just one more question: last time this VM was used NIAPS_1-000002.vmdk run out of free space and the VM crashed and powered off.

We have to check if NIAPS_1-000002-delta.vmdk is truncated and incomplete - please give me the current size of that file.


________________________________________________
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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continuum
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Rob - that is not the only error - there are lines that are invalid as the = is missing.

The script needs to be checked in depth.


________________________________________________
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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SirGundam
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The file size for that NIAPS_1-000002 was 94,259,950.00

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continuum
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ok - working on it


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

Reply
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continuum
Immortal
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Here you go

the six vmdk descriptors plus a suggestion for the VMX-file.

I am not sure wether you can use both 000002.vmdks - last run filled up the VMFS-volume so we have to expect truncated deltafiles.

Checked several times but probably still overlooked small syntax issues.

Report results before you try anything strange

If your first start fails and you get complaints about "file smaller than expected - truncated maybe ?"

then use

scsi0:0.fileName = "NIAPS-000001.vmdk"

instead of

scsi0:0.fileName = "NIAPS-000002.vmdk"

or for the other disk

scsi0:1.fileName = "NIAPS_1-000001.vmdk"

instead of

scsi0:1.fileName = "NIAPS_1-000002.vmdk"

If for what ever reason you need to reset the CIDs after a first attempt then

reset both CID and parentCID to 12345678.

Good luck - report problems

Ulli

########### "NIAPS.vmdk" #############################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfs"

# Extent description

RW 314572800 VMFS "NIAPS-flat.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

#DDB

ddb.adapterType = ""lsilogic"

ddb.geometry.cylinders = ""19581"

ddb.geometry.heads = ""255"

ddb.geometry.sectors = ""63"

########### "NIAPS-000001.vmdk" ##########################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfsSparse"

parentFileNameHint="NIAPS.vmdk"

# Extent description

RW 314572800 VMFSSPARSE "NIAPS-000001-delta.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

########### "NIAPS-000002.vmdk" ############################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfsSparse"

parentFileNameHint="NIAPS-000001.vmdk"

# Extent description

RW 314572800 VMFSSPARSE "NIAPS-000002-delta.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

########### "NIAPS_1.vmdk" #############################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfs"

# Extent description

RW 2936012800 VMFS "NIAPS_1-flat.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

#DDB

ddb.adapterType = ""lsilogic"

ddb.geometry.cylinders = ""182758"

ddb.geometry.heads = ""255"

ddb.geometry.sectors = ""63"

########### "NIAPS_1-000001.vmdk" #######################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfsSparse"

parentFileNameHint="NIAPS_1.vmdk"

# Extent description

RW 2936012800 VMFSSPARSE "NIAPS_1-000001-delta.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

########### "NIAPS_1-000002.vmdk" #########################################

# Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=12345678

parentCID=12345678

createType="vmfsSparse"

parentFileNameHint="NIAPS_1-000001.vmdk"

# Extent description

RW 2936012800 VMFSSPARSE "NIAPS_1-000002-delta.vmdk"

# The Disk Data Base

########################## NIAPS.vmx ########################################

### if you an encoding line here copy it from another working vmx-file #####################

chipset.onlineStandby = "FALSE"                            

config.version = "8"                                                                          

deploymentPlatform = "windows"                         

displayName = "NIAPS"                  

ethernet0.addressType = "vpx"                            

ethernet0.generatedAddress = "00:50:56:bc:4b:a6"                    

ethernet0.networkName = "g-MGMT"                            

ethernet0.pciSlotNumber = "32"                              

ethernet0.present = "TRUE"                        

ethernet0.virtualDev = "e1000"                           

evcCompatibilityMode = "FALSE"                           

extendedConfigFile = "NIAPS.vmxf"                         

floppy0.clientDevice = "TRUE"                           

floppy0.fileName = "/dev/fd0"                       

floppy0.present = "TRUE"                      

floppy0.startConnected = "FALSE"                             

guestCPUID.0 = "0000000b756e65476c65746e49656e69"                   

guestCPUID.1 = "000106a500010800809822010febbbff"                   

guestCPUID.80000001 = "00000000000000000000000128100800"                          

guestOS = "winnetstandard"              

guestOSAltName = "Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit)"                     

hostCPUID.0 = "0000000b756e65476c65746e49656e69"                  

hostCPUID.1 = "000106a500100800009ce3bdbfebfbff"                  

hostCPUID.80000001 = "00000000000000000000000128100800"                         

ide1:0.clientDevice = "TRUE"                          

ide1:0.deviceType = "atapi-cdrom"                        

ide1:0.fileName =""                      

ide1:0.present = "TRUE"                     

ide1:0.startConnected = "FALSE"                            

memsize = "4096"              

migration.vmxDisabled = "FALSE"                            

numvcpus = "2"               

nvram = "NIAPS.nvram"            

pciBridge0.pciSlotNumber = "17"                               

pciBridge0.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge4.functions = "8"                           

pciBridge4.pciSlotNumber = "21"                               

pciBridge4.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge4.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"                            

pciBridge5.functions = "8"                           

pciBridge5.pciSlotNumber = "22"                               

pciBridge5.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge5.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"                            

pciBridge6.functions = "8"                           

pciBridge6.pciSlotNumber = "23"                               

pciBridge6.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge6.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"                            

pciBridge7.functions = "8"                           

pciBridge7.pciSlotNumber = "24"                               

pciBridge7.present = "TRUE"                         

pciBridge7.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort"           

scsi0.pciSlotNumber = "16"                          

scsi0.present = "TRUE"                    

scsi0.sharedBus = "none"                      

scsi0.virtualDev = "lsilogic"                       

scsi0:0.deviceType = "scsi-hardDisk"                         

scsi0:0.fileName = "NIAPS-000002.vmdk"                       

scsi0:0.present = "TRUE"                      

scsi0:1.deviceType = "scsi-hardDisk"                         

scsi0:1.fileName = "NIAPS_1-000002.vmdk"                       

scsi0:1.present = "TRUE"                     

tools.remindInstall = "FALSE"                          

tools.syncTime = "FALSE"

tools.upgrade.policy = "useGlobal"                           

unity.customColor = "#C0C0C0"                        

usb.pciSlotNumber = "34"                        

usb.present = "TRUE"                  

usb:0.deviceType = "mouse" 

usb:0.present = "TRUE"                    

usb:1.deviceType = "hub"                       

usb:1.present = "TRUE"        

userCPUID.0 = "0000000b756e65476c65746e49656e69"                  

userCPUID.1 = "000106a500100800009822010febbbff"                  

userCPUID.80000001 = "00000000000000000000000128100800"                         

uuid.bios = "56 4d 38 89 c8 d0 93 91-a1 0d 1d e9 67 1c 51 72"                

uuid.location = "56 4d 38 89 c8 d0 93 91-a1 0d 1d e9 67 1c 51 72"                    

vc.uuid = "52 2d 99 b3 7c 6e 44 c6-dd 32 43 59 a9 47 82 7a"              

virtualHW.productCompatibility = "hosted"                                

virtualHW.version = "7"                        

vmci0.id = "1729909109"               

vmci0.pciSlotNumber = "33"                          

vmci0.present = "TRUE"                    

vmotion.checkpointFBSize = "4194304" 

############################# end #################################################


________________________________________________
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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