"unable to determine guest operating system" error on VMware Server

[tWiZzLeR]

Source: XP virtual machine

Destination: not important as I cannot get that far in the wizard

Host: XP

I am trying to convert an existing XP virtual machine but when I first launch the wizard and select "Standalone virtual machine" as the source[/u] I receive the error "unable to determine guest operating system" as soon as I select the .vmx file on the local hard drive?

I cannot even get far enough to select any configuration options or the destination.

I am not sure why I receive this error as I'm running Converter against VM's created by the free VMware Server which is supported. Any idea where to begin???

BTW - I am using Converter 3.0.1 and VMware Server 1.0.3.

Message was edited by:

tWiZzLeR

[admin]

Just to make sure, is Converter running on XP? It will give you this error if it is running on 2000 because your Converter machine needs to be running a higher than or equivalent OS as your source VM.

[Mal_S]

I am receiving this error when trying to clone a physical windows 2000 pc

Looks like a simple enough job, just done 5 XP pcs with similar apps

Any idea why it happens or how to cure it

I cant find any logs created on the pc either

[tWiZzLeR]

Just to make sure, is Converter running on XP? It

will give you this error if it is running on 2000

because your Converter machine needs to be running a

higher than or equivalent OS as your source VM.

Yes, the host is XP SP2 as well as the VM that I am trying to convert. The only thing that I am wondering about is the fact that these VM's were originally crated in Workstation 5.x and then I switched to running them on the free VMware Server.

Any idea if this would make a difference?

[admin]

No, Workstation 5.x and Server 1.x use the equivalent virtual hardware. Make sure the VM is powered off as well.

[gabriol82]

Hi,

try to check out the "boot.ini" file.

If it doesn't exist you can create it ( copy and paste from another Windows XP )

[SamTzu]

LOL

It's NOT the boot.ini file!!!

Remove your USB disk and voila.

This is so insane...

Sam

[jugle2much]

It's not necessarily a USB disk drive either. I'm still hunting for a solution but have not come across one yet...