VM won't start - "failed to lock the file"

[Barry_G]

I'd appreciate any tips on getting around this issue - it appears my computer was abruptly powered off during the night.  Attempts at starting my VMware Workstation VM now result in "Cannot open the disk xxxx.vmdk or one of the snapshot disks it depends on.  Reason: Failed to lock the file."

FWIW, I'm not using any snapshots.

Are there any work-arounds for the "failed to lock the file"?  Any way to get this VM started up?

TIA

[schepp]

Hi,

there could still be old lock-files present in the VM directory, so your Workstation thinks the VM is still running and can't lock it again.

List your files in the VM directory please. Deleting the lock files manually might help.

Tim

[Barry_G]

Thanks Tim.  Here is the VM folder contents:

Files:

Windows XP Professional.vmdk   1KB

Windows XP Professional.vmsd   1KB

Windows XP Professional.vmx   3KB

Windows XP Professional.vmxf   1KB

Windows XP Professional1.vmdk   10GB

Windows XP Professional-flat.vmdk   10GB

Nvram   9KB

564d8407-e50d-f575-b663-cd2e0cfb75b3.vmem   524KB

Folders (each with a single MXXXXX.lck file inside):

Windows XP Professional.vmx.lck

Windows XP Professional1.vmdk.lck

Windows XP Professional.vmdk.lck

[schepp · Accepted solution]

As thought

Delete the lck-folders and your VM should start again.

Tim

[WoodyZ]

Close the target VM's Tab in the VMware Workstation GUI and then just delete any .lck Folders/Files and try starting the VM again.

[Barry_G]

THANKS Tim - really appreciate the help!!!

(And thanks Woody as well!)