VMDK Content Extraction?

[hopkinsprinting]

Hi all,

I have a Mac guest OS that has crashed and will no longer boot. There are some files in it that I REALLY need. Is there a way to explore the VMDK file to extract said files?

Thank you,
hp

[ColoradoMarmot]

The best way is to:

1) Make a copy of the VMDK

2) Make a new VM

3) with the new VM shut down, attach the old VMDK to it (share when prompted)

if the vmdk is functional, you'll be able to get the data off from inside the new guest

[ObjectifDubai]

Hi, 

Have you tried rebuilding a new machine and mounting the VMDKs on it?

To answer your question I had found this post several months ago but I have never tested.

How to Extract Content from VMDK Files 

[hopkinsprinting]

Hi ObjectifDubai,

I am on a Mac and the guest OS is a Mac as well. Does the link you provided also apply to a Mac? Everything on that link seems to be Windows-centric.

Thank you,
hp

[hopkinsprinting]

Hi dlhotka,

I'm sorry but can you provide more detailed instructions?

Thank you,
hp

[ObjectifDubai · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Sorry I missed the VMware Fusion information,this link is only for windows computers

As for dlhotka's instructions --> "attach the old VMDK to it (share when prompted)"

here's how to add a vmdk to a VM under "Fusion".

Attaching an existing virtual disk as a second hard disk in Fusion 

[hopkinsprinting]

OMG OMG OMG! That worked and I got my files back!!!

Thank you SO much! 🙂

Best regards,
hp