error loading operation system after chkdsk

[dsmallman]

Hi,

I am not too familliar with VMware. I was doing a chkdsk on the disks of a VM and now it says error loading operation system.

When I browse the Data Store, I only see 2 vmdk files 35 GB and 209 GB. The server has 3 disks should it have 3 vmdk files?

Any suggestions on how to get my VM back up and running. I don't have a recent Copy of Snap shot.

Thank You!

[MentholMoose · Accepted solution]

When I browse the Data Store, I only see 2 vmdk files 35 GB and 209 GB. The server has 3 disks should it have 3 vmdk files?

There should be three VMDK files... somewhere. They don't necessary have to be in the same place or datastore. Use the vSphere Client to open the VM properties and select the hard disk, and on the right under "Disk File" it will show the datastore and path to the VMDK... e.g. "\[somedatastore\] somepath/disk.vmdk"

Any suggestions on how to get my VM back up and running. I don't have a recent Copy of Snap shot.

For Windows you can try a repair install of the OS.

---

Kirk Kosinski

VCP 4, MCITP: EA/VA/EDA7

[dsmallman]

OK Yes I do see it. It is under the folder of another VM. Why would it be that way?

Also, how do you do an OS reload/repair on a downed VM?

[MentholMoose]

OK Yes I do see it. It is under the folder of another VM. Why would it be that way?

Whoever built the VM or added that virtual disk created it like that. Maybe it was attached to another VM that was going away, or maybe the datastore with the existing virtual disks wasn't big enough. Who knows.

Also, how do you do an OS reload/repair on a downed VM?

Edit the VM Properties and attach the OS setup CD or ISO to the virtual CD drive, boot from the disk or ISO, and from there it's the same as with a physical server.

---

Kirk Kosinski

VCP 4, MCITP: EA/VA/EDA7

[dsmallman]

Thanks I'll give that a try. One last thing. If the Win 2003 CD or ISO is not the same as the one that was used to create the server, will I have an issue if it ask for the license key again?

I created a VM recently with a Win 2003 ISO that was left by the people that setup the VMs and it will not take the Key I have.

[MentholMoose]

I think you should use a disk with the same type of licensing (OEM, Retail, or VLK) for a repair install. However you can probably use the recovery console on the disk even if the licensing doesn't match. The recovery console has some tools that may help recover your OS.

---

Kirk Kosinski

VCP 4, MCITP: EA/VA/EDA7