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Creating a Virtual Machine Using an Existing Disk from a Legacy Virtual Machine Can Result in Anomalies (2134)

Details

How do I create a virtual machine using an existing disk from a legacy virtual machine?

Solution

The New Virtual Machine wizard lets you create a modern virtual machine and presents choices based on that intention. However, adding a legacy disk to a modern virtual machine downgrades the virtual machine to a legacy virtual machine. In this situation, the actual valid ranges for settings (such as memory settings) are different than those allowed by the user interface. Because upgrading the virtual disk makes it unusable by legacy virtual machines, the upgrade is not performed automatically when the disk is added to the virtual machine.

There are three possible solutions to this problem, depending on how you want to use the legacy disk and whether or not you want to add devices:

  • (Best practice) If you do not want to use the legacy virtual disk on any legacy virtual machines:
    1. Create the virtual machine using the legacy virtual disk.
    2. Immediately upgrade the virtual hardware on the new virtual machine.
      This permanently upgrades the virtual disk file. The disk file is no longer usable on legacy virtual machines.
  • If you want to continue to use the disk on legacy virtual machines and you do not want to add devices (other than the basic ones provided by the wizard):
    1. Create the virtual machine using the legacy virtual disk.
      Do not use any of the new features of modern virtual machines. Do not exceed the memory allocation limits that apply to a legacy virtual machine (maximum setting = 3.6 GB).
    2. Edit the properties (settings) of the virtual machine.
      Make sure the memory setting is still in the allowed range for legacy virtual machines.

Note: The following solution is necessary if you are adding devices because VMware ESX Server 3.0 does not support adding or removing devices on legacy virtual machines.

  • If you want to continue to use the disk on legacy virtual machines and you want to add devices (other than the basic ones provided by the wizard):
    1. Create the virtual machine using a temporary placeholder disk.
      The minimum size, 1MB, is enough since you will never power on the virtual machine with the placeholder disk.
    2. Change the configuration, adding the devices you want.
    3. Remove the placeholder virtual disk.
    4. Add the legacy disk.

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