VMPlayer error: the file specified is not a virtual disk


  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #1

    VMPlayer error: the file specified is not a virtual disk


    Hello.

    I have seen some similar threads here, however I opened this discussion in hopes of getting a specific answer that will help fix the problem.

    I'm running VMWare Player on Windows 7, and I'm running Windows XP virtually. I have been getting this error of late (see attachment).

    What steps could I take to first find the source of the error and then correct it?

    Regards.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails VMPlayer error: the file specified is not a virtual disk-screenshot-2014-07-05-18.24.47.png  
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  2. Posts : 4,566
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    When does this error occur? What are you doing when it occurs?

    Details.........

    Most likely your just not choosing the virtual disk file like the error is stating.
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  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I'm getting it when trying to load the virtual disk.

    Looking at the Virtual Machines folder, I have a .vmx file, a .vmdk file and several other .vmdk follows with s00 in front of them, such as *filename*-s001.vmdk.

    Which of those files should I be using?

    Thanks for the reply.
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  4. Posts : 4,566
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    .vmx
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  5. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thank you. I'm still getting the error though. Could it be down to a value within the .vmx, something that needs changing?
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  6. Posts : 4,566
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    Could be a corrupted file.

    You might need to restore from a backup.
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  7. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks.

    I don't know that I've backed up my system since creating the virtual machine (it hasn't been that long), unless VMware creates backups on its own.
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  8. Posts : 4,566
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    No, the free vmware player does not include the snapshot feature. But you do not need it.

    Right click the folder the virtual machine is in, and click restore previous versions. Go back a day to when it worked, and click the word restore. Presto, the folder is restored to that date along with your VM.

    You cannot do this in windows 8, only windows 7 and (windows vista business or higher)

    Previous versions of files: frequently asked questions - Windows Help

    In the future, always backup your data to an external hard drive!
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  9. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    The only versions I can restore to are from when the problem was already happening. I suspect there is more wrong with my PC than just this issue.

    Thanks for your help.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #10

    Hi there

    Can only think your Virtual disk has got corrupted somehow. VMware player is usually STABLE and excellent.

    You could try this to create a brand new VM though.

    How to Run Windows XP for Free in Windows 8

    Now simply convert the Virtual box format to VMware and you've got a brand spanking new XP VM. !! (Free too).

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


 

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