Windows 2008 R2 Keeps Rebooting after Restore

[habibalby]

Hi,
I Have backup several windows 2008 r2 and replication as well. But when I import the Backup to different location or try to start the Replica at the remote site the VM doesn't start and keeps rebooting at Windows Loading Files.

Any help?

Thanks,

[habibalby]

Hi,
I have tried replicating Linux machine and Windows 2003 machines, I don't have any issue with them, then can be fired and boots fine. Backed up and Import Windows 2003 and Linux Machines to the remote site veeam server, Its imported successful and can be fired and boots fine too.

The only Windows 2008 is giving me trouble.

Thanks,

[Worti]

check under the properties of the vm your guestOS.
Sometimes i had the same problem after converting some windows machine with vm workstation.

[habibalby]

The guestOS shows correctly on Windows 2008 as well as on the Windows 2003 and Linux. Only the windows 2008 giving problem.

[J1mbo]

What build of ESX is the source?

[habibalby]

Both source and destination are same version and same build 4.1

[J1mbo]

But what is the build number? EDIT - ignore that.

The issue I was thinking of has been fixed in all 4.1 releases. However, if the VM was originally backed up from an earlier and the configuration is forever incremental, I guess the corruption could still be there.

[Vitaliy S.]

Since you have the reboots for both backup and replica, I would suggest trying to boot in safe mode or with network disabled to see if that makes any difference or not. Also it would be worth trying to check another restore point (if you have one).

By the way, if you perform Instant VM recovery on the source site, do you observe the same behavior?

[habibalby]

Its a full backup no incremental, even the replication without the CBT.

[habibalby]

Since you have the reboots for both backup and replica, I would suggest trying to boot in safe mode or with network disabled to see if that makes any difference or not. Also it would be worth trying to check another restore point (if you have one).

By the way, if you perform Instant VM recovery on the source site, do you observe the same behavior?

Hi,
I have tried publishing it, also gives the same issue, Windows is Loading Files and even I cannot enter to the safe mode. I have tried the same backed up VMs from Production on the Production's Veeam VM by directly publishing them it works fine all the VMs comes up without any issue.

[Vitaliy S.]

If the same VM recovery works on the production site, then it must be something wrong with the destination host, because as far as I got you right you're using exactly the same backup image file in both cases.

What about booting this VM with network connection disabled?

[habibalby]

hello,

All the Windows 2008 VMs gives the same issue but Linux and Windows 2003 does not. So, I'm not suspecting my hosts has got issue, because even the Replica of Linux and Windows 2003 are fine working without issues.

I have tried creating new VM using the problematic Windows 2008 VMDK but still same issue

I have tried powering the VM without enabling the vNIC also same, no result..

[Vitaliy S.]

Hmm...do you have a support case opened with our technical team?

[habibalby]

[ID#5150669]

[habibalby]

Hello,

It seems I got the issue why this is happening

1. The restoration attempt on host 172.16.20.50 mubdevesx03.esx.local and targeting Shared VMFS LUN which is accessible by other hosts.
2. When I attempt to Power ON the VM, the vCenter Unregistering the VM from mubdevesx03 to different hosts within the vCenter
3. Once the VM register itself to different host not to the target restore host, the VM will keep rebooting Windows is Loading Files
4. I have configured the VM not to be registered to any host and Sticked it to mubdevesx03.esx.local,, the VM comes up normally and DS Restore Mode successful.

It seems the vCenter Build is the one which creating this issue, because production vCenter is 345043 and DR vCenter is 258902..

Now, I got the VM working fine, let me migrate it to another host and power it on while it’s on different host and will let you know.

After migrating the VM to another host,, I keep getting Windows is Loading Files Something interesting isn't!!

Thanks,

[habibalby]

Hello Once again,

Got another thing interesting, The Replica VM which is Windows 2008, I have Sticked it to mubdevesx03 and it booted fine, when I power it off and register it with another host it keeps Windows is Loading Files.

But, Windows 2003 VM it doesn’t give issue at all..

[J1mbo]

Is there some resource assigned not available elsewhere, for example is it depending on something from an iSCSI provided LUN mapped within the OS?