Error at 96% converting Physical Linux machine to ESXi using latest converter

[newbie100]

Hi,

I am running the latest ESXi on a Dell poweredge 1950 and was attempting to convert a Linux machine.

After 96% I get an error

Failed to Clone the volume mounted on "/" on x.x.x.x

The Linux machine has a 72GB hdd and is running CentOS 4.5. I am running the converter from /root (although the actual files are in /usr/bin) and have exported the

display to a PC.

Has anyone faced this problem ? This is my first attempt to clone a Linux machine.

Thanks

[admin]

You probably encountered the problem of sparse file not handled properly during conversion.

There is information in our release note/ user guide about how to handle this.

And if you want, you can upload the logs of the failed conversion so that we can take a look

[vmweathers]

This is the link to the KB article about this:

(If your question has been resolved please mark the answers as "Helpful" or "Correct".)

[newbie100]

Thanks for the helpful tips.

I am currently trying again, this time running from a remote PC.

What if I used Norton Ghost to clone my disk ? Does that have a better success rate given that its a complete disk image from a cold machine ?

Thanks

[vmweathers]

I don't know about the success rate, but it would require you to perform reconfig manually. You could follow this KB article, though it is specific to RHEL:

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1002402

(If your question has been resolved please mark the answers as "Helpful" or "Correct".)

[newbie100]

I gave it another go, this time running the conversion from a WinXP PC... and it worked !!!! Its AMAZING !!!!

(I did not change any setting to allow sparse files etc)

I did have to go and do some minor reconfig in Kudzu, but that is to be expected as the NIC cards / USB controllers / Video Controllers did change

Thanks guys !!