Fails to convert working VM, how to increase VM size

[lwdaddio]

I have a Vista VM setup and working. In trying to find out how to increase its disk, I saw a suggestion about using the converter to convert it to a larger VM. When I try to 'import' it from within VMware Workstation, it fails pretty quickly saying it can't determine the OS. Not sure why, since this was a VM setup from scratch and boots just fine. So I tried the standalone converter and after 45 minutes it fails and the log indicates the same thing, that it can't determine the OS. This seemed like such an easy way to increase the size of a VM. I've tried booting BootIT NG to change the partition but that just starts booting from the floppy but then just hangs; I can boot the same floppy from the host just fine. Partition Magic 8 doesn't like partitions that are created for Vista. How can I get 'convert' to work? If not, how can I resize up a VM? Thanks!

[IB_IT]

1. what version of Converter do you have? Vista support is "experimental" in the latest version of 3.0.2.

http://www.vmware.com/support/converter/doc/releasenotes_conv302update1.html

2. is this in an ESX server environment? If you are looking to expand the vmdk, you could use the command line vmkfstools -X to expand. If you are trying to expand the system partition after that, then you will need to attach the disk (after you expand the vmdk file) to another VM and bring it up as a separated disk. Use diskpart to expand the volume and use the newly added space. Detach the drive and boot back up the VM.

[lwdaddio]

I have the latest version but didn't realize it was experimental. Is there some way I'm supposed to report problems with it?

This is a stand-alone VM environment.

[continuum]

Do you have a recent version of ghost ? - if yes - just ghost into a larger disk

[lwdaddio]

I don't have Ghost but I have Image for Windows, that might work. I'm still new to VMware so would I do it like this; does it sound correct?:

Image the C: drive in the current VM

Create a new, larger virtual disk and add it to the VM (as drive D: I'd guess)

Put the image from C: onto D:

Remove both virtual disks

Add the imaged 'D' disk which should make it the C: disk?

[continuum]

I don't know if Image for Windows can resize during restore - but if it can your to-do-list looks good.

Don't forget to exchange the disks and remove the original BEFORE first boot as you mentioned - this is critical because otherwise you may mess up driveletters.

[lwdaddio]

I've never tried it but the documentation says I should be able to. I would normally just use BootIT NG to resize but I can't get it to boot from floppy for the VM. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!