XenConvert, trying to go P2V with Windows 8.1, VHD format issue.

The Lurker

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I am trying to use Xen Convert to change my physical windows 8.1 install to virtual. However, every time I try to start the conversion process it fails. I narrowed down the problem but I am having a hard time solving it. Upon launch of the conversion process the application creates a VHD on the local machine. Soon as it mounts the drive I get the all too familiar "format drive X: to use it". Before I can click yes and format it, the operation fails and I am presented with a log. I also see the new disk appear in disk management, but before I can even click on it, it unmounts it. I tried adding some parameters to the xenconvert.ini to extend the time it waits for the drive to be available but the parameters are not having any affect on the application. I tried to enable automount in windows through disk part, that didnt help either.

I have read the xenconvert 2.5 guide cover to cover and I cant find much online beyond what I already tried. However, I could be using the wrong search terms.

Does anyone have an experience with the mounting issue or XenConvert and could help me out?
 
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is the VHD being created on the same HDD as the conversion OS?
 
is the VHD being created on the same HDD as the conversion OS?

No it is not. But I have tried creating both on the source volume and a different destination volume. I also change the space allocation of the VHD from including the entire white space of the source to just 40gb. Obviously there is sufficient space to create these VHD's on either volume.
 
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Image the PC, then restore in a VM.

Yes. I have tried all the options. An image to VHD and OVF as well as a direct to XenServer migration. All of the options result in the same error. It always tries to create a VHD first.

Are you running xenconvert as administrator?

Yep. It creates the VHD, the problem arises when it cannot access it. The format box appears but I cannot format it fast enough before the software fails out.
 
Has a Google search or Xen forums turned up anything for you? I don't use Xen, so I am guessing at best.
 
Image the PC, then restore in a VM.

Yes. I have tried all the options. An image to VHD and OVF as well as a direct to XenServer migration. All of the options result in the same error. It always tries to create a VHD first.
<snipped>

When I read that, I interpret as:

Use Ghost, DriveImage, TrueImage, dd on the physical box to create the image and then
within the VM, use the same image utility to restore the image.
 
Has a Google search or Xen forums turned up anything for you? I don't use Xen, so I am guessing at best.

Nothing. All the threads I find are always old and reference and old version. The solutions they do recommend were the same ones now part of the user guide.

When I read that, I interpret as:

Use Ghost, DriveImage, TrueImage, dd on the physical box to create the image and then
within the VM, use the same image utility to restore the image.

Oh! Thats a good work around. If I cant figure this out, I will try it this way.

Alternate to try to get a .VHD:

Disk2vhd

Woh! Thanks for finding this. Im going to try this first.
 
I apologize I thought you already knew that is utilities. Star wind has a great for utility that will convert discs to vhd or vmdk
 
I apologize I thought you already knew that is utilities. Star wind has a great for utility that will convert discs to vhd or vmdk

Dont apologize, you're the one helping me. I am a noob when it comes to the workings of virtualization so i dont know what does and does not exist.

Netwerkz101 suggestion looks to be working. The VHD is importing into the server.
 
Ok. Closer, but no cigar yet. I am able to successfully import the VHD but it does not boot. Have to troubleshoot.

Right now the only thing it does is sit at the POST screen with the cpu pegged at 100%.
 
Ok. Closer, but no cigar yet. I am able to successfully import the VHD but it does not boot. Have to troubleshoot.

Right now the only thing it does is sit at the POST screen with the cpu pegged at 100%.

Anything special about the source drive? (encryption of any sort, alternate partitions...anything other than a single primary active partition?)
 
Anything special about the source drive? (encryption of any sort, alternate partitions...anything other than a single primary active partition?)

Nothing at all.
But while writing a response I may have figured out the problem. Its a single drive with three partitions EFI, Recovery and the primary C:. The Disk2VHD software only sees C:, it doesnt see the boot partitions. I think that is why Xen cant boot it up.
 
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