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montespcs
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ESXi PANIC: Error while reading file: -3, state.tgz

After a poweroff (ungraceful shutdown), upon reboot of ESXi, I get the following screen dump:

Kernel: vmkerkel.gz bootUUID=7b00...........................................................

Loading vmkernel.gz

Module: binmod.tgz

Loading binmod.tgz

Module: environ.tgz

Loading environ.tgz

Module: cim.tgz

Loading cim.tgz

Module: oem.tgz

Loading oem.tgz

Module: license.tgz

Loading license.tgz

Module: state.tgz

Loading state.tgz

PANIC: Error while reading file: -3, state.tgz

boot:

If I press <ENTER> it starts to reload the HyperVisor and loops again loading the above files.

Any idea what this is or how to correct this? I've found only one other site on a google search that references the same error posted by another admin. No answer to his query about why this happened.

This server is a Dell PowerEdge 4600 running dual 2.4GHz 2GB RAM, Perc3/DC using 2 mirrored 18GB SCSI drives (ESX OS), and 6 36GB SCSI for the local datastore (VMFS).

Running ESXi Update 2, build 110271. No other patches installed.

Thanks to anyone that responds.

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Dave_Mishchenko
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State.tgz contains all the configuration files for your ESXi host. A few options:

1) restore a configuration backup (i.e. a backup taken with the RCLI command vicfg-cfgbackup.pl

2) You could boot with "LiveCD" and see if there is a older copy of state.tgz on the altboot bank partition. This would apply if you have ever patched the system.

3) Run a recovery install of ESXi. This will wipe the configuration of the host, but the VMFS partition will be perserved.

In any case, there is a bartPE CD that you can boot and then access the VMFS partitions with. This would give you a chance to copy your VMs to other storage just in case.

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Dave_Mishchenko
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State.tgz contains all the configuration files for your ESXi host. A few options:

1) restore a configuration backup (i.e. a backup taken with the RCLI command vicfg-cfgbackup.pl

2) You could boot with "LiveCD" and see if there is a older copy of state.tgz on the altboot bank partition. This would apply if you have ever patched the system.

3) Run a recovery install of ESXi. This will wipe the configuration of the host, but the VMFS partition will be perserved.

In any case, there is a bartPE CD that you can boot and then access the VMFS partitions with. This would give you a chance to copy your VMs to other storage just in case.

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montespcs
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Excellent, thank you. 2 of those options would have worked in my situation.

I choose the "easy" method by booting with the installation CD and choosing the "Repair" option. It corrected the problem withing 3 minutes. I was backup and running in 15 minutes with my VM's.

I do have a question about the BartsPE (CD) option you mentioned. What program or executable do I need in order to access the local VMFS on the 3i server? Obviously this won't be seen by default, so what is required for this partition/filesystem to be accessed?

Thanks for the quick reply! Smiley Happy

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Dave_Mishchenko
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The tool is MOA and can be found here - http://sanbarrow.com/moa.html. There's an option to boot the CD, the start an ESXi VM and mount local drives.

Unix-Sysadmin
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Try to reinstall ESXi. In the installer select repair, this will be save your vmfs with all vm´s.

chris

EDIT: Sorry for my answer, the question has been answered correctly ...

montespcs
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Gracias.

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grhjr
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Hi folks,

I have nearly the same error in ESXI embedded (USB) after installing the latest patches. (Drivers + Kernel, I think)

PANIC: Error while reading file: -5, binmod.tgz

what the hell means this?

I try to reinstall the ESXI on USB now.

Any hints?

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saporati
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Thank you David, thank you very much Smiley Happy

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GlenB
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Exactly the same problem for me after an abrupt power outage (gotta get me a BBU). I also used the installation CD and did a Repair. Had to remove all the VMs from Inventory and re-add them and recreate the automatic power on/off order configuration. Probably a few more things I need to recreate, but all the VMs are running. Thanks.






Regards - Glen

Regards - Glen
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Mohammad1982
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Please follow the link below to resolve the issue

http://ftejeda69.blogspot.com/2009/08/panic-error-while-reading-file-5.html

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!! Regards, Mohammad Wasim
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rrod1
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Ran into the EXACT same error as .

Rebooting seemed to work for me, but the consensus on the web seems to be that if a reboot does not help, do a repair install.

Running the following:

Dell Poweredge 1750 dual 2.4GHz 2GB RAM; ESXi 3.5 U5 build 207095

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