More VMDK confusion

[Fred_3_0]

Sorry folks, I'm sure this is answered somewhere, but I've waded through about 20 VMDK threads and still can't find a simple answer.

1.     I'm not a techie.  I use Fusion to run about 5 PC legacy apps that don't have Mac versions.

2.     I have dutifully backed up my Virtual Machines as per instructions elsewhere. 

But I have 21 *.vmdk files, numbered serially, occupying a total of 20gb on my HDD that I'd really like to reclaim if I don't need those files.  And since I keep the copy in Dropbox, it's eating space on three different machines.  Do I need them?  Why do they replicate like rabbits?  If I don't need them, can I safely delete them?  And if I don't need them, is there a way to control their enthusiastic propagation? 

The simplest answer would be great.  I'm not seeking to grok all of VMWare Fusion, just get enough to solve this riddle.

Thanks. 

[WoodyZ]

The simplest answer would be great.  I'm not seeking to grok all of VMWare Fusion, just get enough to solve this riddle.

Then lets start with the simplest thing so as to provide you with a relevant answer based on the actual facts so... To help figure out what is what the best way to provide comprehensive diagnostic information is to use the "Collect Support Information" command from the VMware Fusion (menu bar) > Help > Collect Support Information and then attach the .tgz file it created on your Desktop to a reply post.

[Fred_3_0]

Thanks Woody.  Here you go.

[WoodyZ]

Okay, you have a 40 GB split growable virtual hard disk in the Virtual Machine and why you're are seeing the number of .vmdk files and all are needed however you can shrink the the virtual hard disk to regain any available space that is no longer being used by the Guest OSes Filesystem.

Have a look at: Clean Up a Virtual Hard Disk

Message was edited by: WoodyZ - Updated link as original point to the wrong location, sorry.

[WoodyZ]

Also forgot to mention that you can also use Shrink in the VMware Tools applet in the Windows Control Panel or vm icon in the System Notification Area of the Windows Taskbar.

[Fred_3_0]

Thank you Woody.  Not sure what your offical role is here, but you seem to be providing quite a service.

2 follow up questions though if you can.

1.   Will shrinking impact performance?

2.   What are these things, and why do they occupy so much space?  I really don't keep much data on the virtual C:/ drive.  It's just WIndows XP Home and maybe 10 or 15 additional apps. Yet this file is massive.

[WoodyZ]

Not sure what your offical role is here, but you seem to be providing quite a service.

I have no official roll, am not a VMware employee, and am just a knowledgeable user giving back to the community, so to speak.

1.   Will shrinking impact performance?

Yes, shrinking and cleaning up the disk should increases the overall performance.  Some users like to defrag the Guest's Filesystem first then Shrink and then use Clean Up Virtual Machine.  I believe though that with VMware Fusion 4 and Windows Guest that Clean Up Virtual Machine also shrinks the disk without first running Shrink from VMware Tools first.  If you want to ensure the best performance under the circumstances do it in this order...

Run Defrag from within the Windows Guest

Shrink the Disk using VMware Tools from Windows Control Panel.

Use Clean Up Virtual Machine from: Clean Up a Virtual Hard Disk

2.   What are these things, and why do they occupy so much space?

If I tell you that then it goes against what you said previously "I'm not seeking to grok all of VMWare Fusion, just get enough to solve this riddle."

Suffice it to say that when using growable disks one needs to preform periodic maintenance in the form of shrinking/cleaning up the disk.

If you really want the technical details I'll try to find the time to give to you in geek.