Problem re-using virtual disk after copy

[atakacs]

Dear all

I'm having a somewhat baffling issue with an ESXi 5.5 host.

I have a fairly "plain vanilla" VM with two virtual disks and wanted to relocate the vmdk from one data store to another (basically from local storage to an NFS-connected NAS).

To perform this I have connected to the host via SSH and after stopping the VM issued a simple cp command. All fine, old file untouched, new in desired location.

Now the strange thing: vShpere client will not allow me to re-attach either the old or the new file to my VM. As far as I can see it simple does not appear in the UI:

I would expect to see an ex_au_01_1 vmdk ?!

I'm probably missing something obvious...

Any help / suggestion most welcome.

[rcporto · Accepted solution]

I think you forgot to copy the descriptor file, only copied the flat file... check this KB article: vmdk file copied from the command line cannot be found or used (1001987)

Look at the older folder for a file called: ex-au-01_1.vmdk.

And you need make sure the source virtual machine has no snapshots... here you can found some things to check before copy the disk: Moving or copying virtual disks in a VMware environment (900)

[lakshya32]

Hi

Welcome to communities.

just for testing purpose could you please crate new vm and select option use existing storage .

and make sure you don't have snapshot related to root disk.

[atakacs]

Thanks -  it was indeed that simple. Thanks for pointing out the obvious  !