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aalhait
Contributor
Contributor

Unable to determine Guest Operating System message

I know there are other posts like that on the site. but none so far relate to this.

I've tried to cold clone a Dell R410 Server with Windows 2008 Server OS installed.

1. Converter is not recognizing the NIC

2. When I Create a new Import, I get tht message that it cannot recognize OS.

I have the latest Converter on the site 4.1.1

What do I do to convert this machine.?

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14 Replies
AndreTheGiant
Immortal
Immortal

Welcome to the community.

IMHO... use a hot clone and a more recent version of Converter.

You can use Safe Mode with network support (and all critical services stopped).

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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pcerda
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

Hi,
As Andre said, you can try with hot cloning.  I usually use Converter Standalone to make hot cloning.
You also can try adding the required drivers to VMware Converter Cold Clone ISO.  Check out this link:

Best Regards

Patricio Cerda

Regards / Saludos - Patricio Cerda - vExpert 2011 / 2012 / 2013
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aalhait
Contributor
Contributor

Hot cloning did not work... The partition on the dell server stopped it. That's why I needed the cold clone CD

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AndreTheGiant
Immortal
Immortal

Simple ignore the first hidden partition.

Is used only for diags and it's not needed in a virtual environment.

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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pcerda
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

you have to ignore this partition when you are selecting the partitions to convert.

Best Regards

Regards / Saludos - Patricio Cerda - vExpert 2011 / 2012 / 2013
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aalhait
Contributor
Contributor

If I ignore these partitions it does not work... I read on some threads that these partions is what makes the cold clone only solution th eonly one...

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DSTAVERT
Immortal
Immortal

You have tried installing converter directly on the server and cloning from there?

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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kopper27
Hot Shot
Hot Shot

as people say here try hot clonning

I just recommend to stop the more important services on your server for example SQL, Oracle, Exchange or similar stuff....

and try the converter 5 version it's beta but I've been working with it the last week without any problem

http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/beta/public_converter_50

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aalhait
Contributor
Contributor

Yes I have tried that many times with 3 different versions now (including 5 beta)

The issue is I get this fault when I start the hot cloning process.

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aalhait
Contributor
Contributor

The fault I get is: "A general system error occured: Invalid fault"

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kopper27
Hot Shot
Hot Shot

there's always a log generated can you upload that log

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

can you post a screenshot of diskmanagement of the original server ?

is plan B an option ? - that is create a full diskimage with other tools and than import that one ?


________________________________________________
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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aalhait
Contributor
Contributor

Not sure how to do that plan B?

Where is the log file when a Fault happens?

How do I get the errors and actual problem?

PS. Is there a readme on how to do the conversion step-by-step?

(Like select this option and this option and shrink the Drive size to X and then click Next etc...)

Maybe I'm doing something wrong! Which I doubt since I have no warnings before I click Finish and Fault happens!

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

please post a screenshot of diskmanagement


________________________________________________
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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