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dls95433
Contributor
Contributor

Snapshot uses all resources

I'm running WinXP in Fusion 3.1.1 on a MBP dual processor with 4G RAM.  I have 1 processor and 1G RAM allocated to the VM.

For the most part it works _very_ well, except...

When the daily snapshot runs, it bogs down the whole computer - keystroke/mouse response, even on the Mac side, runs to tens of seconds. I usually just walk away for 20mins until it's done.

Is there any way to speed it up, run in background, or keep it off the Mac side, or get a 10 minute warning?

Thanks for any help,

Donna

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

tip: disable the snapshot-timer mislabelled as "autoprotect" and create snapshots at a time when it makes sense

you probably have a very very large number of snapshots - this will slow down your VM
with too many snapshots you can cripple your VMs until they no longer run but crawl and die on day


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

dls95433
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks, but I'm hoping to make the auto-backup work better.

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Mikero
Community Manager
Community Manager

Snapshots are not backups Smiley Wink

AutoProtect is simply a snapshot-scheduler.  It does not keep things 'safe' nor does it back things up.

If you're looking to back up and keep your data safe, the best advice is the following:

- Backup your Documents seperately from the VM itself (Either via shared/mirrored folders, or using a backup utility in Windows)

- Keep a copy of the VM on an external drive in case Windows goes bad

Performance-wise, the fewer Snapshots the better.

Snapshots are best used in 2 situations:

1) You need a state to roll back that is unique (See this post for an example: http://snook.ca/archives/other/vmware-fusion-snapshots)

2) You're about to install some software but want a 'roll back' point in case it goes wrong.

-
Michael Roy - Product Marketing Engineer: VCF
continuum
Immortal
Immortal

Mike - don't you think that the term "autoprotect" should be changed ?


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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dls95433
Contributor
Contributor

Mike -

Thanks, I know it's not a backup as such. I keep all vital docs in shared and dropbox folders, and do a full TimeMachine backup daily.  If my HD, TM, and DB all go down at once, I know snapshots won't help - I'll be under the table with a bottle of vodka. Smiley Happy

I want the rollback mostly because <shamefaced> I haven't taken the time to do fix my OS - Windows Explorer decides to quit about once a month, and nothing seems to help but a rollback to the last snapshot.

Thanks to both of you for the extra advice but...

Returning to my original question:  Does Snapshot have to make my whole computer useless while it runs?

D

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

How many snapshots do you have ?

If you have a very large number of snapshots then you have to expect slowdowns

note: autoprotect snapshots are usually hidden - make sure you display them


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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dls95433
Contributor
Contributor

There are 2 autoprotect (per settings) and 9 I took while having problems earlier this year. I'll delete mine, but it's always done this.

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