failed recovery file ...-flat.vmdk

[fynid]

Hello, I have a problem with my server, but I still managed to save my vm, here is the structure of the vm that I managed to save.

but I have a problem, when I import the .vmdk on vmware workstation, the .vmdk doesn't work, there's only a warning "1234F".

second problem, I can't extract ...-flat.vmdk, the storage file is very important. I have tried various ways to recover ...-flat.vmdk but to no avail. Is there a way to restore the files that are in ...-flat.vmdk?

I'm sorry, because this is the first time facing this problem, I hope you guys here can help me. thank you guys. 

[HassanAlKak88]

hello,

To create a VM using existing vmdk please follow this KB: KB 2010196 

[fynid]

Thank you for responding, I have done exactly the same as the video above, but the results are still the same, "1234F" appears like this

[HassanAlKak88]

Do you have backup of that VM, not only the vmdk files ?

[fynid]

I only got the backup file like the first picture

[a_p_]

Looks lie an issue with the boot sections.

What happens when you select one of the numbers 1, 2, 3 or 4 (which are partitions on the disk)?
"F" may not help, as it points to a floppy disk drive.

André

[fynid]

thanks for responding. if I press 1,2,3, or 4, the result will still be the same (looping). Output : 1234F, I just want to retrieve the files in the ...-flat.vmdk. Is there any other way?

[a_p_]

In case you just need files, you could create a "helper" VM, and attach that virtual disk to it as a secondary disk.

André

[fynid]

I'm so sorry, this is the first time I heard of "helper" VM, can you provide documentation (URL) about it and where the "helper" VM run?

[a_p_]

What I'm referring to is simply another VM with an operating system, that can read the file system on the virtual disk.

André

[fynid]

what to do next after that? I have managed to make it a secondary disk. But it can't be mounted like the picture below, so what should I do to retrieve the files in ...-flat.vmdk?

[a_p_]

I'm afraid that I can't help you with this.
Maybe someone else has an idea, or you try to address your question about recovering data from a btrfs partition in a Linux forum.

André

[fynid]

Yash, thanks a lot, André, I'll explore further.

[louyo]

On a Linux system, basic support for btrfs is from btrfs-progs

Try: sudo  apt install btrfs-progs

[fynid]

yup I've tried it, but it can't be mounted

[Technogeezer]

What Linux distro are you trying to use to rescue the VM? Is it possible that kernel doesn't have btrfs support?

Otherwise, your secondary virtual disk has some severe problems, and you need to treat it as a corrupted physical disk. For example to start, have you checked the partition table of the secondary virtual disk to make sure it's OK?

Before doing anything, make a copy of the original virtual machine unless you chose to copy the original virtual disk into your new recovery VM. 

[Technogeezer]

Also, make sure you have the right partition you're trying to mount. For example, on a GPT partitioned disk configured for EFI boot, partition 1 is typically the EFI system partition, not a btrfs Linux file system. You can double check that using 'fdisk -l" on the secondary disk (/dev/sdb in your case). 

[fynid]

thanks for responding, Technogeezer. The partition I found is only one, btrfs only. I don't know why there is only 1 partition here. 

Note : 

...-flat.vmdk here is an open media vault (as a NAS) operating system.