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PraveenStreebo
Contributor
Contributor

Unable to start VM on VMware ESXI server

Hello Team,

We are facing issue with one of our VM on VMware ESXI server. When we are trying to start the VM we are getting .vmx file was not found and i have also tried to create new vm and add existing .vmdk file but not working. I am confused what to do.

It would be nice if someone help me on this issue.

Attaching a screenshot for my VMware ESXI server where I am showing VM on data store volume.

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9 Replies
Finikiez
Champion
Champion

Hi!

it looks like that somebody deleted necessary files

1. There is no VMX file in the VM's folder.

2. From datastore browser picture I don't see vmdk descriptors. Maybe this is because of very-very old ESXi version.

Can you connect to host with SSH and show 'ls -lah' output from VM's directory?

As well this VM had 3 snapshots (as per cound of delta vmdks). If you try to create a new VM then attach existing virtual disk using the latest vmdk which has 000003 number.

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PraveenStreebo
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks for the reply.

Attaching a screenshot of VMware ESXI SSH host where you can see all files.

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sachu2017
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

try to created snapshot and then delete it and then try to power on vm.

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PraveenStreebo
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks for reply.

But I am not able to start VM or add to snapshot. I am getting invalid(unknow) status on vm inventory panel.

Attaching a screenshot for the same.111

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Finikiez
Champion
Champion

Ok.

So descriptor files are abcent. You have to recreate them manually before you can use them when you'll create a new vm.

Here is KB article how to rectreate descriptor files.

This is for flat.vmdk VMware Knowledge Base

this is for delta.vmdk VMware Knowledge Base

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HussamRabaya
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

please post the edit settings of the Vm where it shows the VM .vmx file

did you face any issue recently of power failure or corruption ?

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PraveenStreebo
Contributor
Contributor

Hello HussamRabaya,

Our VM is not listed in inventory so I am not able to see you VM setting?

We have three delta disk and one flat-file but when I create custom VMX then it says unable to boot and getting error bootmgr missing.

Thanks

Praveen Kumar

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ramesh81
Contributor
Contributor

Hi,

Please check if any other datastore holds the vmx file.

Also try to create a New VM and add the vmdk file to it and then power it on.

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Finikiez
Champion
Champion

Did you recreate vmdk descriptors as well?

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