VMPlayer error: the file specified is not a virtual disk

[Asmo]

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.

 

[andrew129260]

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.

 

[Asmo]

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.

 

[andrew129260]

.vmx

 

[Asmo]

Thank you. I'm still getting the error though. Could it be down to a value within the .vmx, something that needs changing?

 

[andrew129260]

Could be a corrupted file.

You might need to restore from a backup.

 

[Asmo]

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.

 

[andrew129260]

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!

 

[Asmo]

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.

 

[jimbo45]

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