In Vmware Fusion2, how do set things so that I will always have the option of saving or discarding changes to the virtual disk drive?
Sounds like you are looking for the Undo disk feature of old VirtualPC. While VMware Fusion does not have not a direct Undo Disk feature, you can use Snapshots to accomplish what you want.
To Start:
1) Take a snapshot before you start a session that you think you want to do undo
To NOT save changes and revert to base state:
2) At the end of the session, if you want to undo the work you did and discard it, just revert to the base snapshot of when you started the session.
3) When asked do you want to save your changes, say "Don't Save" and then the changes will be discarded
If you wanted to instead save the changes, you have two choices:
4) Just keep working and your snapshot will just grow larger
5) Delete the snapshot and VMware Fusion will integrate the changes into your base virtual disk.
Hope that helps.
Pat
Actually, I was looking for something like the "undoable mode" for virtual disk drives that's apparently available for Workstation, but your answer should work; I just have to remember to initiate the snapshot before I need it rather than at the end of the session. Your answer at least gives me most of what I was trying to find. There does not seem to be much documentation on Snapshots, Rollback - not too surprising since they are new. Any suggestions on where to look to complete the picture?
thanks
Twizzard
Actually, I was looking for something like the "undoable mode" for virtual disk drives that's apparently available for Workstation
Note: The following is presented as is and should only be used if you totally understand the consequences and accept all responsibility for your actions and is intended for use by advanced users only!
If you really just what whatever changes not to be written to the base disk and discarded when the Virtual Machine is shutdown then you can add the following to the target Virtual Machines .vmx configuration file.
scsi0:0.mode = "independent-nonpersistent"
Or
ide0:0.mode = "independent-nonpersistent"
Note: Change 0:0 as appropriate to the disk involved.
Have a look at: ide settings VMX-file parameters and scsi settings VMX-file parameters as a reference. Note: Some settings may not work with Fusion.
That's cool to know - did not know that Fusion could be set to automatically discard changes. That mode would be perfect for working with students, etc.
However, I need to selectably save or discard the effects of my session, not always discard changes.
I did look at the documents you referenced, and I could set the field to "undoable", which might be perfect -- but the warning associated with the field does concern me, since I'm still learning Fusion.
thanks...
Twizzard
However, I need to selectably save or discard the effects of my session, not always discard changes.
I did look at the documents you referenced, and I could set the field to "undoable", which might be perfect -- but the warning associated with the field does concern me, since I'm still learning Fusion.
Which is why I said...
"Note: The following is presented as is and should only be used if you totally understand the consequences and accept all responsibility for your actions and is intended for use by advanced users only!"
And
"Note: Some settings may not work with Fusion."