VM automatically reverts to most recent snapshot during startup

[SysAdman]

I am trying to bring back an old sbs2003 server to the domain as there is some exchange data we need to recover. My plan is to rejoin the previously decommissioned machine to the domain, ensure AD replication has completed then isolate it from the network, seize all FSMO roles, etc and reinstall Exchange to access the EDBs. I am aware there are 3rd party tools available at cost to do this, however I want to acheive this without additional cost using ESXi Hypervisor.

I have taken a snapshot of the 2003 vm before joining the domain. I then join the 2003 VM to the domain and shutdown (instead of restart). I took another snapshot of the VM while turned off and then booted it. Everytime is gets to "Applying Computer Settings" the VM automatically reverts to my most recent snapshot and powers off.

In the "Recent Tasks" list I can see "Find entity by UUID" numerous times before the machine then reverts to the latest snapshot.

I have no idea why this would automatically occur, any thoughts?

While writing this I managed to get a successful boot but with the network set to an isolated vSwitch rather than the standard "VM Network" vSwitch. I then managed to modify the connected network to be the standard "VM Network". Everything now appears fine however if I restart this VM the same thing happens and I need to put in host only to get it to boot.

What could cause vSphere to make the machine revert to snapshot just because it is connected to the main LAN?

[kabeer]

Check the disk settings under virtualization machine properties and set the mode to Persitent.

[SysAdman]

Kabeer, can you explain why this would help? I want to retain my snapshots on all disks.

Independent disks are not affected by snapshots and therefore I don't think this is relevant to my situation, correct me if I am wrong.

[a_p_]

Please attach the VM's vmware.log file to your next reply post. Maybe this file contains some hints why the VM reverts to the snapshot!?

André

[kabeer]

could you please check this community link.........is this a related issue ? http://communities.vmware.com/message/2079075

as andre said, pls post logs.

[SysAdman]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies, please find attached the most recent logs prior to the current vmware.log which will not contain the issue as it did not occur on this boot as used host only networking.

Kabeer, ref that article, I don't have the snapshot.action option under host configuration>Advanced Settings and not sure if the article is related. The last poster mentioned they encountered an unintentional revert on one occasion but had put that down to erroneous snapshot.action settings which I have never modified (nor have I ever used persistent disks).

Kind Regards

[a_p_]

I'm not sure, but to me it looks like there's some third party application (e.g. backup and/or replication software) running somewhere which causes this issue once it sees the VM online!? What I'm also not aware of is the purpose of the "converter..." entries in the VM's configuration file. Can you try to remove these entries to see whether this makes a difference?

André