Manually edited VMX settings overwritten by Workstation 16.2

[paultobey]

I'm editing my VMX file(s) attempting to overcome very slow snapshot capture with large RAM profiles (takes minutes without the setting change). Desired settings:

mainMem.ioBlockPages = "8192"
mainMem.iowait = "0"

While this works briefly, the next time I capture a snapshot, reboot the VM, or basically anything else, the settings are lost (no longer appear in the file). I'm running Workstation Pro 16.2 and doing my best configuring the settings when Workstation is not running, the VM is not running, etc. No luck.

I've read the posts referencing VMX and manual editing and believe I'm following all recommended procedures. I can't (because of how I'm using Workstation), simply "don't reboot" or "don't save live snapshots". I need the settings to persist and can't see any logical reason why they would not.

[RDPetruska]

Are you editing the file while Workstation is open?  If so, this is expected behavior.  Shut down the guest, and close Workstation (or at least close that VM's tab from the UI).  THEN you can manually edit the vmx file.

[paultobey]

That doesn't seem to be the issue:

"configuring the settings when Workstation is not running, the VM is not running, etc."

Certainly possible that some seemingly minor deviation from best practices is happening but I haven't spotted it and I'm trying hard to get the setting to stick!

Thanks,

Paul T.