Problem importing physical machine "Unable to determine guest operating sy"

[heshamsalah]

Hi All,

Kindly I need help regarding this error.

I am trying to import a local phsyical machine using the free VM converter.

when reach the point where I specify it's a local machine in the "source login" page in the wizard and click next I recieve this error:

"Unable to determine guest operating system"[/b]

my disks are basic, I am running win2003.

here is my boot.ini file

\[boot loader]

redirect=usebiossettings

timeout=30

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS

\[operating systems]

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Standard" /noexecute=optout /fastdetect /redirect

Hope any one could help me out.

[esiebert7625]

The setting you have in there for EMS might be confusing it. "redirect=usebiossettings" and "/redirect". You might try removing those and trying again. Make sure you make a backup to the file first and if you reboot you might put those settings back in or at least have a boot CD handy in case you need it blue screens.

[heshamsalah]

Do I have to do a restart after installing VM converter on this machine?

[esiebert7625 · Accepted solution]

You need to restart on Windows 2000/NT machines because a special driver is installed, for Windows XP/2003 there is no need because it uses the Volume Shadow Copy service.

[heshamsalah]

I have just learned that disks on this server are mirrored?

is it possible to import this system if it's mirrored?

[grrltech]

Do you have Service Pack 2 applied?

I don't know why, but applying SP2 to one of our machines fixed the problem.

[esiebert7625]

It's usually best to break any software mirrors, hardware mirrors are OK because they are transparent to the OS. See the below link for some best practices.

http://www.vmware-land.com/Converter.html

[heshamsalah]

there is something I forgot to mention that may have something to do with my problem.

This windows 2003 OS I am trying to clone is actually installed on SUN Fire X4600 server.

do you think that this coul make any problems?

[esiebert7625]

Possibly, there have been some issues with certain disk controllers. You might try upgrading the firmware/drivers to the latest.