Support > Knowledge Base
Knowledge Base
Search the Knowledge Base: |
Search the Knowledge Base: |
Virtual machine cannot be powered on because its working directory is not valid
Details
After migrating a virtual machine you may see the following error when trying to boot the virtual machine:
"A virtual machine cannot be powered on because its working directory is not valid"
Solution
This may be caused if the name of the virtual machine directory has a space at the beginning or the end of the directory name. You may also experience problems powering on a virtual machine if there are spaces in the vmdk name.
Rename the directory so that there are no spaces in it.
To rename the directory:
-
Connect to the ESX Server host using the Virtual Infrastructure Client.
-
Log in as a user with administrative privileges on the ESX host.
-
Right-click on the virtual machine and click on Remove from Inventory.
-
Connect to the Service Console of the ESX host with an SSH client.
-
Log in as a user with administrative privileges on the ESX host.
-
Browse to the virtual machine directory under the VMFS volume.
-
Rename the directory using the mv command.
mv "/vmfs/volumes/storage1/Sample Directory " "/vmfs/volumes/storage1/SampleDirectory"
Note: The space has been removed from the directory name
-
Using the VI Client, navigate to the newly renamed directory in the Datastore browser to find the virtual machine.
-
Right-click on the .vmx file and click Add to Inventory.
-
Complete the wizard. T he virtual machine is registered.
Feedback
Actions
- KB Article: 1000114
- Updated: Aug 14, 2009
- Products:
VMware ESX - Product Versions:
VMware ESX 3.0.x