Knowledge Base

If you have a virtual machine with multiple disks created with VMware Workstation 3 or GSX Server 2, and if those disks use different disk modes (for example, if one disk is in nonpersistent mode and another is in persistent mode), you need to take some special steps to upgrade that virtual machine so you can use it under VMware Workstation 4 or GSX Server 3.

You need to consider:

• The guest operating system installed in the virtual machine.
• The disk modes you are using.

If your guest operating system is one of the following and the operating system disk is in persistent or undoable mode, use upgrade path 1.

• Windows Server 2003
• Windows XP
• Windows 2000
• Windows NT
• Linux

If your guest operating system is one of the following or if the operating system disk is in nonpersistent mode, use upgrade path 2.

• Windows Me
• Windows 98
• Windows 95

Upgrade Path 1

Both of the following:

• Operating system disk: Persistent or undoable
• Guest operating system: Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT or Linux

Steps:

1. Power on the virtual machine.
2. Upgrade the virtual hardware when prompted.
3. After the virtual hardware is upgraded, the virtual machine continues powering on.
4. The guest operating system finds the new virtual hardware and may need to install new drivers for it. For details on the process, see the standard steps for upgrading to VMware Workstation 4 or upgrading virtual machines to GSX Server 3.
5. Upgrade VMware Tools. For details, see Installing VMware Tools for Workstation virtual machines or Installing VMware Tools for GSX Server virtual machines.
6. Shut down the guest operating system and power off the virtual machine.

Any disks that were in persistent mode are now independent disks in persistent mode. Any disks that were in nonpersistent mode are now independent disks in nonpersistent mode. Any disks that were in undoable mode are now normal disks, and a snapshot exists. The snapshot includes the state of the normal disks.

Upgrade Path 2

Either or both of the following:

• Operating system disk: Nonpersistent
• Guest operating system: Windows Me, Windows 98 or Windows 95

Before you begin the steps below, make a note of the disk mode of each disk attached to the virtual machine. In Workstation, go to the Virtual Machine Control Panel/virtual machine settings editor (Edit > Virtual Machine Settings) and select each hard disk in turn (In GSX Server, choose VM > Settings). Check the right panel and note the IDE or SCSI node for the disk and the disk mode shown there.

Steps:

1. Under Workstation 4 or GSX Server 3, this virtual machine has a snapshot. Remove the snapshot. Choose Snapshot > Remove Snapshot.
2. Power on the virtual machine.
3. Upgrade VMware Tools. For details, see Installing VMware Tools for Workstation virtual machines or Installing VMware Tools for GSX Server virtual machines.
4. Shut down the guest operating system and power off the virtual machine.
5. Choose File > Upgrade Virtual Hardware.
6. Power on the virtual machine.
7. The guest operating system finds the new virtual hardware and may need to install new drivers for it. For details on the process, see the standard steps for upgrading to VMware Workstation 4 or upgrading virtual machines to GSX Server 3.
8. Shut down the guest operating system and power off the virtual machine.
9. Configure the virtual machine to use your preferred disk modes.
   

   Operating system disk in this mode	Data disk(s) in this mode	Steps to configure the virtual machine
   Persistent	Undoable	D for the persistent disk, then B.
   Persistent	Nonpersistent	D for the persistent disk, then C.
   Undoable	Persistent	B is recommended. If you must have persistent data disks, D for each persistent disk.
   Undoable	Nonpersistent	B for the undoable disk, then F for each nonpersistent disk.
   Nonpersistent	Persistent	F for the nonpersistent disk, then A.
   Nonpersistent	Undoable	F for the nonpersistent disk, then B.

   
   
   
10. Take a snapshot (except in cases where you have disabled snapshots). Click Snapshot on the toolbar.

Reconfiguring Disks to Match Workstation 3 or GSX Server 2 Disk Modes

The configuration options outlined in the list below allow you to set disks in Workstation 4 or GSX Server 3 virtual machines so they have characteristics similar to the listed Workstation 3 or GSX Server 2 disk modes.

1. Persistent mode (setting the mode for all remaining disks)
   Be sure there is no snapshot for the virtual machine. (If necessary, choose Snapshot > Remove Snapshot.) In the Virtual Machine Control Panel/virtual machine settings editor, click the Options tab, select Snapshot, then select Disable snapshots. Also, for each disk that is not to be specially configured, click the Hardware tab, select the disk, click Advanced, then be sure Independent is not selected. Click OK.
2. Undoable mode (setting the mode for all remaining disks)
   In the Virtual Machine Control Panel/virtual machine settings editor, for each disk that is not to be specially configured, select the disk, click Advanced, then be sure Independent is not selected. Click OK. Take a snapshot.
3. Nonpersistent mode (setting the mode for all remaining disks)
   In the Virtual Machine Control Panel/virtual machine settings editor, for each disk that is not to be specially configured, select the disk, click Advanced, then be sure Independent is not selected. Click OK. Click Snapshot on the toolbar to take a snapshot. In the Virtual Machine Control Panel/virtual machine settings editor, click the Options tab, select Snapshot, then under When powering off select Revert to the snapshot. Click OK.
4. Persistent mode (setting the mode for one particular disk)
   In the Virtual Machine Control Panel/virtual machine settings editor, select the disk, click Advanced, then select Independent and Persistent. Click OK.
5. Undoable mode (setting the mode for one particular disk)
   In the Virtual Machine Control Panel/virtual machine settings editor, for each disk that is not to be specially configured, select the disk, click Advanced, then be sure Independent is not selected. Click OK.
6. Nonpersistent mode (setting the mode for one particular disk)
   In the Virtual Machine Control Panel/virtual machine settings editor, select the disk, click Advanced, then select Independent and Nonpersistent. Click OK.