ESXi 5.5.0 inplace upgrade from Windows Server standard ed. 2008 R2 to 2012 or 2012 R2 not working

[mdelsan]

ESXi version 5.5.0 (build 7618464) 
guest VM 200 R2 std edition - VM version8

I can't inplace upgrade from 2008 R2 to 2012 R2 or even 2012
i already verified about SCSI controller and it's LSI Logic SAS
i've a lot of free disk space in the guest VM

i tried also to change VM settings from 2008 R2 to 2012

no way, i still can't do inplace upgrade

any hint, any suggestion?

thanks
regards

Maurizio

[Alex_Romeo]

Hi,

Windows Server 2012 R2 is supported on ESXi 5.5

You should tell us the steps you are taking and which error messages are blocking the upgrade. Without this information it becomes difficult to help you.

Regards,

ARomeo

[mdelsan]

i'm trying to in-place upgrade a VM with WS 2008 R2 standard edition (64bit - ITA) to WS 2012 R2 (or 2012) standard edition (64 bit - ITA)

i get this error:

Impossibile eseguire l'aggiornamento da Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard a Windows Server 2012 Standard Evaluation (server con GUI). In alternativa, è possibile scegliere di installare una nuova copia di Windows Server 2012 Standard Evaluation (server con GUI), ma si tratta di un'operazione diversa dall'aggiornamento e non consente di mantenere file, impostazioni e programmi. Sarà infatti necessario reinstallare i programmi desiderati utilizzando i dischi o i file di installazione originali. Per salvare i file prima di installare Windows, eseguirne il backup in una posizione esterna, ad esempio un CD, un DVD o un'unità disco rigido esterna. Per installare una nuova copia di Windows Server 2012 Standard Evaluation (server con GUI), fare clic sul pulsante Indietro nell'angolo superiore sinistro e selezionare “Personalizzata (opzione avanzata)”.

translated:

Unable to upgrade from Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard to Windows Server 2012 Standard Evaluation (server with GUI). Alternatively, you can choose to install a new copy of Windows Server 2012 Standard Evaluation (server with GUI)

Let me know if you need further details

thanks

[Alex_Romeo]

Hi,

This is not a VMware problem, but a Microsoft operating system problem. The message says that you cannot upgrade from "Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard" to "Windows Server 2012 Standard". For the upgrade you have to follow this scheme:

Upgrade:

windows server 2008 --> windows server 2012

windows server 2008 R2 --> windows server 2012 R2

the message says you are running windows server 2012 to windows server 2008 R2. This is not possible.

you need to download:

https://www.microsoft.com/it-it/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2012-r2

ARomeo

[mdelsan]

Hi,

as wrote in the first post, i get the same error even with the latest ISO of 2012 R2 standard 64bit 

thanks
maurizio

[Alex_Romeo · Accepted solution]

Hi,

This is not a VMware issue but a Microsoft issue.
This article specifies that if you are upgrading a domain controller, it is not possible to do so with the Evaluetion version.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/jj...

I recommend opening a post in the Microsoft community:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums

regards,

ARomeo