Error: Read-only file system during write on /dev/disks/naa.* : tried all forums with no solution !

[dbucher]

Dear all,

I tried hundreds of forums and posts, but nothing seem to help!

I have vSphere ESXi 5.5. and when starting ESXi the first time it created and formatted a storage automatically.

For some reason I removed it and now I cannot get my disks/storage back! No problem if I need to reformat but even that is impossible !

I tried to reuse it, to format it, whatever possible, but nothing is working:

The only message I get is : Error: Read-only file system during write on /dev/disks/naa.(...) !

For example :

# partedUtil mklabel /dev/disks/naa.600605b009a647b01c5ed73926b7ede1 msdos

Error: Read-only file system during write on /dev/disks/naa.600605b009a647b01c5ed73926b7ede1

WriteNewPtable: Unable to commit to device /dev/disks/naa.600605b009a647b01c5ed73926b7ede1

partedUtil delete partition gives the same message.

partedUtil setptbl gives the same message.

fdisk (delete, new partitions, write) is of no use.

# partedUtil  getptbl /dev/disks/naa.600605b009a647b01c5ed73926b7ede1

gpt

1215155 255 63 19521474560

1 63 8386622 EBD0A0A2B9E5443387C068B6B72699C7 linuxNative 0

2 8386623 13629502 9D27538040AD11DBBF97000C2911D1B8 vmkDiagnostic 0

Really, after trying more than 30 hours, I don't know anymore what to do ?

Any help would be very much appreciated...

Denis

P. S. ESXi 5.5.0

[a_p_]

If I understand you correctly your goal is to reinstall ESXi, and erasing all data on the disk is not an issue!?

In this case you may want to use a partitioning utility (e.g. a gParted Live CD, or a Windows boot DVD) to start the system from, and delete the partition table.

André

[dbucher]

Dear André,

Yes, this could be a solution. The only problem is that I don't have physical access to the server and I would be happy to find a solution within VMware.

But thank you very much : this would be a realistic last resort solution 🙂

Denis

[dbucher]

Dear all,

Does it means that VMware is unable to be used without having to download and install a third-party tool ? That would be just crazy that VMware would be unable to simply format a disk ?

Any help and advice would be appreciated !

Denis

[a_p_]

Well, maybe it's possible to help you if you provide more information about the installation (i.e. whether it is installed on an USB/SD device) and what exactly you deleted, and how!? However, I can't promise you anything.

André

[dbucher]

Dear André,

I found a solution under Re: Is VMware really unable to format my disks ? Do I really need to download a thirdparty for that ...

Nothing is perfect but it was possible to solve the problem from inside ESXi.

Denis