Backing up

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Linux hosts.
Post Reply
pdc124
Posts: 15
Joined: 12. Aug 2007, 10:59

Backing up

Post by pdc124 »

after a recent little scare i tohught id better check i can recover with my automated backup strategy in case my machine dies (again),but permamently.
i copied the vdi file
with VBoxManage clonevdi /home.....win2000.vdi /mnt/backup/win2000b.vdi

Ive installed Virtualbox on another machine and then tried to import win2000b.vdi (new ->existing->win2000b.vdi )

then when i try to run it I get a 'disk read error. Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete' message .

So can i back up a vdi like this or do i need to run some backup software within my windows VM ?
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Post by Sasquatch »

With 2.1.0, the clone command is bugged. You can for a normal backup, just use the OS copy functionality. If you want to test the VDI, either unregister the existing one, or change it's UUID with VBoxManage internalcommands setvdiuuid <filename>.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
pdc124
Posts: 15
Joined: 12. Aug 2007, 10:59

Post by pdc124 »

i *think* i am testing the VDI.
I'm copying it to a different machine that has VBox installed and then trying to import the copied win2000.VDI on the backup machine .It starts to open win2000 and then fails with a disk read error message.
So on my backup machine there is no Virtual Disk to unregister ( or im not understanding something )
Sasquatch
Volunteer
Posts: 17798
Joined: 17. Mar 2008, 13:41
Primary OS: Debian other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows XP, Windows 7, Linux
Location: /dev/random

Post by Sasquatch »

You can then just use the OS copy method. No need for the clone command. You need to use Clone if you want to run the image twice on the same Host. That will prevent any issues about "already registered".
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
pdc124
Posts: 15
Joined: 12. Aug 2007, 10:59

Post by pdc124 »

is the OS copy method just importing the backed -up VDI to the new machine ?
ive tried that ( after changing he permissions of the backed-up VDI and I get the BSOD with the disk error unreadable message
Post Reply