VMWare Fusion 3 didn't back up Windows 7 VM


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Hello! I've got a 2-pronged problem. I'm hoping someone has some good news for at least one of them!

Here are the details about what I've done

1. Have installed Windows 7 in my VMWare Fusion 3 virtual machine for Windows; it was an upgrade downloaded from DigitalRiver as I'm a student.

2. Had Time Machine backing up my system for the past month

3. Computer was terribly slow, so I added in more RAM and decided to reformat my Mac to get rid of any possible stray files bogging me down.

4. Used Migration Assistant to bring back my old account's profile, but VMWare won't load Windows 7, it gives the error of "failure code -1" each time.

Here's what I'd like to do

A) Bring back my Virtual Machine of Windows 7 without much effort since I have Time Machine backups of my system--don't know if the VM's library files were backed up though...?

B) Burn the files that I downloaded when I purchased Windows 7 on a Mac so that I can reinstall in a clean new VM of Windows 7. Here are the files I have from when I purchased Windows 7 (just ignore the other stuff that's Mac apps) OR possibly install Windows 7 into a Virtual Machine w/o a host operating system in VMWare Fusion 3 (is this possible) from the execution files? I never saved files in the virtual Machine, I just use it for Windows-only applications, which I have back-ups of so I can reinstall if I can get the OS to load!

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Please, someone have good news? :) :) :)

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Are there any lock files shown within the vm directory? Also have you tried mounting the vm disk image to back up?

If you are trying to download the iso but can't because you are on a mac a. Cintact digutal river for a link or b. Search google for digital river iso windows. I ran into a similar problem.

Also, loved the price if the pre sale/ student discount think I paid like 30 bucks and that was with the 5 year download backup

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Sorry on the phome on a bumpy ride. Let me explain the lock file. For vm workstation vmware creates a lock file to protect the virtual machine while in a running state. If you reformated the computer while the machine was in standby its possible a permission error has occured. If not, like I said digital river will give you a direct dl link if you have proof of purchase. Or use google, whichever you're more comfy with.

This way you can create a fresh vm and import your old apps

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Sorry on the phome on a bumpy ride. Let me explain the lock file. For vm workstation vmware creates a lock file to protect the virtual machine while in a running state. If you reformated the computer while the machine was in standby its possible a permission error has occured. If not, like I said digital river will give you a direct dl link if you have proof of purchase. Or use google, whichever you're more comfy with.

This way you can create a fresh vm and import your old apps

Thanks for the advice! I think it was something w/ the locked file/protected files.

After I wrote this post, I restored my old profile COMPLETELY (took up a lot of space), but I had to give the home folder a new short name since it couldn't overwrite the short name that I used after reformat (same short name = my first name). Anyway, I got the option from VMWare Fusion, "Can't find your VM--if you don't know what happened, click "I copied it" and then it started to load up, and worked fine after I changed folder permissions for everything in my home folder to add in my new short name.

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Good to hear... In general as long as you have the contents of the virtual machine and/or the vmdk files are not corrupt the virtual machine can be restored. It may take a lot of work, but it can be done. I've not encountered a single vm that I have not been able to restore. I've not been trained or have worked exclusively on the Fusion application because I never owned a mac, until now at least. But I have worked on window/*nix based VMware workstaion and the virtual infrastructure suite as a profession.

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