Convert vmware image with vmkfstool into ESX format and can not start image

[msandman]

Hi all,

I am pretty new in vmware and need urgent support. I have an converted vmware workstation image on my ESX server. The image itself is pretty big. I already try to convert the image into SCSI unsuccessful. I need urgent help to bring this image up and running the old vmware workstation image is not available :o(.

Used Hardware: Dell, Redhat AS 5.3 - x86/64 / ESX server version 3.0.1, 32039

I alreday tried the Following points.

Changed ddb.virtualHWVersion = "6" to "4" to check if I can boot the image. Kernel panic.

Chanded ddb.adapterType = "ide" to "buslogic" and "lsilogic" and remove the disk from inventory. Kernel panic

-rw-rr 1 root root 32212254720 Oct 28 21:30 Disk_Linux-flat.vmdk

-rw-rr 1 root root 423 Mar 4 03:36 Disk_Linux.vmdk

-rw-rr 1 root root 257698037760 Oct 28 20:46 Disk_VIS1211-flat.vmdk

-rw-rr 1 root root 420 Mar 4 03:36 Disk_VIS1211.vmdk

-rw-rr 1 root root 1474560 Oct 28 21:30 floppy

-rw-rr 1 root root 8684 Oct 28 21:30 nvram

-rw-rr 1 root root 0 Oct 28 20:46 VIS1211_VMware.vmsd

-rw-rr 1 root root 3050 Oct 28 20:46 VIS1211_VMware.vmx

-rw-rr 1 root root 279 Oct 28 21:30 VIS1211_VMware.vmxf

# du -sh .

271G .

# ll

total 640

-rw------- 1 root root 8664 Dec 23 09:30 EBS R12 - VISDemo.nvram

-rw------- 1 root root 0 Dec 23 09:24 EBS R12 - VISDemo.vmsd

-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 1486 Mar 4 03:28 EBS R12 - VISDemo.vmx

-rw------- 1 root root 261 Mar 4 03:28 EBS R12 - VISDemo.vmxf

-rw-rr 1 root root 17926 Dec 23 09:30 vmware-3.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 4756 Dec 23 09:33 vmware-4.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 4756 Feb 25 06:28 vmware-5.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 4756 Feb 25 06:32 vmware-6.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 4756 Feb 25 06:57 vmware-7.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 4756 Mar 3 12:18 vmware-8.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 4756 Mar 4 03:28 vmware.log

# cat Disk_VIS1211.vmdk

1. Disk DescriptorFile

version=1

encoding="UTF-8"

CID=89e9a339

parentCID=ffffffff

createType="vmfs"

1. Extent description

RW 503316480 VMFS "Disk_VIS1211-flat.vmdk" 0

1. The Disk Data Base

#DDB

ddb.toolsVersion = "7429"

ddb.virtualHWVersion = "6"

ddb.uuid = "60 00 C2 94 9e f3 4c 9f-83 61 af eb f8 fd e2 83"

ddb.geometry.cylinders = "16383"

ddb.geometry.heads = "16"

ddb.geometry.sectors = "63"

ddb.adapterType = "ide"

Thanks in advance

Maik

[marcelo_soares]

If you are experiencing kernel panics (saying it can't mount the root particion and etc, etc, etc... ), you will need to change your bootloader configuration. Your machine probably had an IDE disk and the ESX only allow scsi disks. Changing to buslogic is the way, and I think I can help you a bit more with the bootloader problem, but doing a rescue from a redhat disk is the fastest option to resolve this.

Marcelo Soares

VMWare Certified Professional 310/410

Technical Support Engineer

Globant Argentina

Consider awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[msandman]

Hi Marcelo,

mucha gracias :o). Do you have a quick example how to change the bootloader config. I would like to avoid any big issues. Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Maik

[msandman]

Hola Marcelo,

muchas gracias :o). Do you have an example how to change the bootloader. I am coming more from the software side ;o). That would help me to avoid big issues. Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Maik

[marcelo_soares]

When you boot the VM there is any option for failsafe boot?

Marcelo Soares

VMWare Certified Professional 310/410

Technical Support Engineer

Globant Argentina

Consider awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[msandman]

Hi Marcelo,

I moved to buslogi but get the following error. It is also needed to switch "ddb.virtualHWVersion" on 4, to avoid an error at the beginning.

cheers

Maik

[marcelo_soares]

This is ok, you can let the "yes" option checked. Also check if you can start the Guest with any failsafe option.

Marcelo Soares

VMWare Certified Professional 310/410

Technical Support Engineer

Globant Argentina

Consider awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.