Disk read error and ntldr missing VMware Converter
I’ve got a really old Dell XP desktop machine that acts as a voicemail server for a client. I though I’d convert this to run in a virtual environment before the things dies of old age. Easier said than done.
After downloading and installing the VMware converter I then ran the online conversion to my virtual centre server’s datastore. I then proceeded to fire up the new VM. However I got an error L
“A disk read error occurred, press ctl+alt+delete to restart”
Not to good.
A quick google and I find my answer I have to change the type of disk that the virtual machine uses from IDE to SCSI however this means running the conversion again. In the advanced options make sure you use the SCSI drive opposed to IDE this will do the trick.
After running the conversion for a 2nd time I power on the virtual machine and get to Windows login. I then proceed to login and am asked to activate Windows. The machine I converted had an OEM copy of Windows so windows reads that the BIOS has changed from the OEM vendor Dell to my new virtual machine. This means I have to reactivate it!
Not so easy – even though I have a volume license key this does not work and neither does a call to Microsoft. Another google and I find I have to do a repair install of the OS to get Windows activated.
I download the Win XP iso attached it to the virtual machine and boot into it. No hard disc found : ( I have to download VMware’s SCSI floppy disk and attach this to and F6 whilst going through the Win XP install.
Run the repair install then boot up again. I get another error!
ntldr missing
Another google and I find out I have to disconnect the floppy image as this will bring this error up.
Hopefully this little tech rant has helped some other folk out with the same issue which I am guessing is probably quite common in the IT world.
