Thanks Oscar.  I’m having a problem, which is why I’m looking for some advice.  I’ve tried three different .ISO files I have, and I keep having the same issue.  I get the virtual machine created, allocate disk space, connect to a Windows 2012 R2.ISO file as a dvd, which I saved in one of my VM datastores. Then, I power on the VM, and can get all the way to partitioning my disk and starting the install process. The initial Windows file copy works, and then the long “Windows is preparing files (xx%) countdown begins.  Before the preparing files gets to 30%, it fails, and Windows 2012 aborts the install and returns me to the title screen.  When I shut down and reboot the VM, the console displays the message that the formatted disk is not a valid, and it will no longer boot from the .iso.

 

At least a few sites say it may be a problem with the .iSO files, but due to an issue with how our Microsoft renewal was handled, I can only view licenses and keys in my Microsoft Licensing account.  It won’t let me download any files at the moment.

 

I’m hitting the wall on searches thru the VMWare database, so any thoughts you might have, or resources you can suggest would be appreciated.

 

 

 

 

In my experience going from Windows server to VMWare has been a piece of cake.
I converted about 15 servers and never had a problem.
I am thinking in "advice" but I can not think in any issues that I had.


oscar

Good morning all,

 

I’m taking the plunge, and trying to bring up my first Windows server in my VMWare environment.  To date, I’ve mostly built Linux servers in my VM, so I’m sure there are some Windows pitfalls I’m not aware of.   Can anyone point me to a good guide for bringing up a Win 2008 R2 and/or Win 2012 R2 server as a VMWare host?  Any advice would be appreciated.

 

John Resotko

Assistant Director, Systems Administration and Support

Michigan State University College of Law

648 N. Shaw Lane, Room 208 Law Building

East Lansing, MI 48842-1300

 

email: [log in to unmask]

phone: 517-432-6836

fax: 517-432-6861

web: http://www.law.msu.edu/

 

MSU IT Council , Law College representative and board member: https://tech.msu.edu/itcouncil/index.php

 

-- 

Oscar Castaneda

Michigan State University