0 Byte VMDK file after power failure- VMWare workstation

[sanketgroup]

Hello

VMware was running and suddenly due to power fault PC got restarted directly. When i logged in to windows OS, i found that VMware is not booting up and found that VMDK file is 0 bytes.

Following folder structure and files. There was around 70gb data in vmdk file. Suddenly it became 0 bytes.

Lot of important data was there. Pls Pls help how can i get back this thing working.

564d672b-edee-1b55-0284-2325a116f10e.vmem	6GB
vmware.log					1242KB
vmware-0.log					561KB
vmware-1.log					10292KB
vmware-2.log					1109KB
vprintproxy.log					170KB
Windows 7 x64 (SQL).nvram			9KB
Windows 7 x64 (SQL).vmdk			0KB
Windows 7 x64 (SQL).vmsd			0KB
Windows 7 x64 (SQL).vmx				4KB
Windows 7 x64 (SQL).vmxf			4KB
Windows 7 x64 (SQL)-748c3693.vmem		6GB

564d672b-edee-1b55-0284-2325a116f10e.vmem.lck	(Folder)
Windows 7 x64 (SQL).vmdk.lck			(Folder)
Windows 7 x64 (SQL)-748c3693.vmem.lck		(Folder)

[continuum]

Hi
first of all stop using the physical disk with the partition in which the VM was stored immedieatly.
Hopefully you used a data-disk so that should be easy.
If the disk also has the Windows-directories this is less convenient -- but necessary.

Next step is to use a recovery-software like UFS-explorer or Getdataback or Ontracks EasyRecovery.

You must run such tools from a second disk so when the vmdk was stored in C:\ get a LiveCD or use another computer.

You need a full bucket of luck in this case. I expect that the vmdk was highly fragmented so this can be quite a challenge and take a few days.I would offer assistance if you were using ESXi but in this case I would do the same as I already mentioned: try different Recoverytools and use the "Search deleted / lost files function"

Good luck

Ulli

[sanketgroup]

Ok, i was reading some posts where it says how to fix corrupted vmdk. (empty vmdk -320kb, and some other methods)

but as you saying, i dont think that would work for me.

right?

this is nightmare for me, worried if i can recover vmdk for recovery softs and if i do would it work properly and boot VM.

[continuum]

A nightmare ? - important stuff missing ?
If it is really so important call me - I have a look and see how to you started.
Hope you already stopped using that disk by for example removing the driveletter.

Do I assume right and you used a growing type vmdk ?
Dont store important stuff inside growable vmdks - a defragmented preallocated vmdk is almost as good as the hosts filesystem itself.
But growing types are too fragile - the larger they are the worse it gets.

If you want to call - do so asap

Ulli

[sanketgroup]

can i have your contact number pls?

[RDPetruska]

Ulli's Skype handle is in his signature!

[sanketgroup]

thanx.

trying him via skype, but not able to contact him. Waiting to accept my skype contact invitation.

[deliad]

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM! IN 2021

VMware Workstation 16.1

the flat file became 0 kbytes but the host disk space that the vmdk sits on remained the same

is there any solution??