problem after server crashing

[inadmin]

hi all, i have one file in of my datastore following a server crash and i'm not sure if it can recovered.

[scott28tt]

There is an area of VMTN for backup/recovery issue with vSphere, thread reported asking moderators to move it there.

[Lalegre]

Hey @inadmin,

It seems that you have the .vmdk descriptor file and the flat-vmdk with the contents of the disk. 

Let´s do the next:

1. Create an empty VM with the name of your choice.
2. Follow the steps on the Wizard.
3. In the last step select to add existing hard disk.
4. Select the .vmdk file.

After that power it on and see if the VM can read the content.

[inadmin]

Hi and thank you answering, the 2nd file is just something I played with (trying to recover).

That flat disk cannot be selected as it's "greyed out" (sorry not a VMWARE expert)

[Lalegre · Accepted solution]

Oh okay, so that means the contents are still there, which is good but you need to recreate the descriptor file. I advise you to follow the next KB that details properly the step by step on how to recreate the descriptor file which will point to the disk content (flat-vmdk)

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1002511

PS: Note that on point 3 you probably do not have the .vmx (I am assuming here) with the details of the SCSI adapter used but the default one is LSI Logic SAS so on the new empty VM you can start with the same.

Read carefully, start one point by one and in case it gets complex you can even reach me out on the messages.

[inadmin · Accepted solution]

Thank you, it worked!