VMware – Cannot Delete an ‘Orphaned’ Replica
KB ID 0000601 Problem After some messing about on my test network I was left with a ‘replica’ machine that I needed to get rid of, this was easier said than done, as it was in an orphaned state. Solution 1. Find out which host in the cluster the replica is on, In my case that’s simple (I only have one). In a live environment click the replica machines summary tab, and it will tell you which host it is on. Connect...
VMware View – Using Persona Management
KB ID 0000615 Problem Persona Management, is the VMware version of “Roaming Profiles” and “Redirected Folders” rolled into one. Though the redirected folders bit is a lot easier to set up and less problematic than the Microsoft Folder Redirection policy. Its handy if you using floating pools but still want your users to have a persistent user interface. Having these files centrally makes them easier to backup,...
VMware View 5 – Configure and Deploy Clients in ‘Kiosk Mode’
KB ID 0000610 Problem Kiosk mode is quite useful, if you have some machines that you want to put in a public area for visitors to use, or for machines that are used in displays etc. Or if you have some older PC’s that you just want to repurpose as internet terminals or ‘point of sale’ box’s. Essentially it’s a system that delivers a virtual VMware View desktop to a PC or Thin client without the need to...
VMware View – Windows Pool ‘Stuck’ on Customizing
KB ID 0000646 Problem While trying to deploy a Windows XP Pool yesterday, I hit upon this problem. Windows 7 works fine, but as soon as I tried to roll out a Windows XP pool, they stopped like this; After a couple of hours, the whole operation timed out, and each machine shows as; Status {Date}{Time} o’clock {Time-Zone}: Customization operation timed out I tried to deploy the pool with both ‘quick prep’ and...
Set Up the VMware View 5 (and Horizon View) Event Database
KB ID 0000856 Problem Below I’ll configure SQL 2008 R2, insofar as I will setup a new database for the View Events, create a user for that database, then finally connect the View 5 Horizon View Connection Server to that database. Solution 1. Firstly, I’m assuming you have a SQL Server setup and ready to create database on, If you do not rather than reinvent the when follow my instructions in the article below. Deploying...
Creating and Deploying USB Portable Applications with VMware ThinApp
KB ID 0000616 Problem The last time I wrote about deploying applications with ThinApp, it was geared towards getting standalone applications onto client PC’s for non admins to run, or putting them in a network share. But if you have a portable application the advantage is you can run it from portable media (Like a USB drive). Like before I’ll convert Google Chrome to a ThinApp, but the difference is I will set the...
ESXi Error “HA agent must have userworld swap enabled”.
KB ID 0000045 Problem Seen on diskless ESXi Servers, this happens because, to perform HA, the server needs some swap space, and a diskless server has none. Solution 1. Using your VI client log into your Virtual Center Server. 2. Select the first ESXi host > Configuration > Advanced Settings 3. Select ScratchConfig > Type in a directory with at least 1GB of free storage e.g /vmfs/volumes/SAS1_V1/Scratch/ESXi1 Note: I’ve...
ESX4 “Web Access” 503 Service Unavailable Error
KB ID 0000150 Problem If you connect to an ESX4 Server and attempt to “Log onto Web Access” you get a 503 Service Unavailable error. This is because unlike EXS3 the web console is disabled, well not strictly true the service is usually running but the firewall (on the ESX server) is blocking it. Solution 1. Log into the ESX Host with the VI Client software. (Note: If you don’t have the VI client you would...
P2V Error during hot Clone – P2VError FILE_OPEN_FAILED(vpxa-nfc://[Name of Datastore]
KB ID 0000017 Problem P2V Error during hot Clone Error in ESX > Tasks and Events “Failed to import machine to esx.domain.com Error in Log Task failed: P2VError FILE_OPEN_FAILED(vpxa-nfc://[Name of Datastore] Note Entry in Tasks and events will point you to the logfile location on the Virtual Center which is.. C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataVMWareVMware COnterter EnterpriseLogs Scroll to the bottom of the...
Manually Remove VMware Workstation?
KB ID 0000576 Problem Tried to upgrade my VMware Workstation Version 8 today, then my laptop has a BSOD with a NETIO.SYS error, I bought it back up again, and attempted to manually install the newer version. This failed with an obscure .msi error. Even running the installer for the older version would not help. Solution Rather than picking it out of the registry, you can run remove it by running the install .exe file with a...