vm with "failed to start Windows" after second replication

[EBoucq]

Hello,

I'm doing some tests with the replication part of Veeam.
After a first and successful replication (replica started normally), I'm having "windows failed to start" message when I start the vm with the following replications, even with jobs with "success" status.

Any idea what could go wrong ? Do I have to delete my replica and start all over again ?
I'm using Veeam 5.0 and the replicas are stored on a local datastore on a ESXi.

Thanks.
Regards,
Eric

[foggy]

Eric, just to make things clear - is your source VM (that is being replicated) able to start normally? Were there any significant changes performed to this VM between replication cycles?

Btw, is there any reason for running such an old Veeam B&R version (it is not even officially supported anymore)?

[EBoucq]

Hi,

Thanks for you reply.
Yes the source VM is running normally. I just ran the replication job, started the replica vm to check it, shut it down and did a second replication.
So, no change between the 2 replications.

I know I'm using an old version of Veeam B&R but that's the one my client has right now and he's not willing to upgrade it for now

Thanks.
Regards,
Eric

[Vitaliy S.]

Hi Eric,

Can you please tell me how you verify your VM replica? Do you start it using vSphere Client or Veeam backup console?

Thanks.

[Gostev]

Note that prior to v6, you cannot power on VM replicas manually for the purpose of verification, and then continue the replication. Running the replica modifies the virtual disk contents, and brings it out of sync with the state known at the source. As the result, the following incremental replication produces inconsistent state. One way to prevent this is to snapshot replica before powering on, and then rollback the snapshot to bring replica disks back to original state. There are multiple existing topics regarding this, including detailed step-by-step guides on replica testing if you want more info.

Alternatively, I would recommend upgrading to v6. Among many other replication enhancements including tremendous reliability and performance increase, it makes testing replicas a breeze (see sticky FAQ).

[veremin]

Hi, Eric.

For detailed description of the manual VB&R 5.0 replica testing procedure kindly see the following article:

http://www.virtualizationteam.com/veeam ... edure.html

Hope this helps.
Thanks.

[EBoucq]

I read that topic http://forums.veeam.com/viewtopic.php?f ... 194#p18191
and managed to make it work.

Thanks everybody for your answers.
Regards,
Eric