Clone problem when Machine is running!!

themoon17 · Post by **themoon17** » 27. Jan 2009, 13:17

First of all am very sorry if am posting it again!!

I am using the latest version 2.1.2

i know to copy the VDI file to different folder for the sake of backup and set UID.

However i want to use the command tool provided by SUN to clone my HDD which i think is the best way of copying a VDI/Cloning a VDI.

i followed the below command:

VBoxManage clonehd "source" "Target"

But, my problem is whenever i run this tool when my VDI is in use. I am unable to get my VDI cloned.But whenever my VDI is in off state this tools works gr8.

Can anybody help me how to figure out this problem?

Post by **Sasquatch** » 28. Jan 2009, 01:36

Duh!!! The file is locked for read and write, so the clone will fail. You can't copy a file that is in constant change. Would you be able to copy a file that is being written to constantly with your host, like a download?
Another example: can you copy a piece of paper when it's written on?

The file need to be closed before you can clone it.

themoon17 · Post by **themoon17** » 29. Jan 2009, 09:46

Yes!!

I understand the logic. that is the reason am asking.

How about pausing a virtual machine and cloning ?

Do you think it is feasible?

If it is possible let me know.

Also is there any script which i can use to take backups of VDIs on timely basis?

Thanks for the support from all of you.

Awaiting reply

Post by **Sasquatch** » 30. Jan 2009, 20:51

Just shutdown the Guest, clone it, then start it again. There will be downtime anyway, better to do a clean shutdown than get a corrupted VM or clone.

For a backup, a simple file copy should be enough. Because if you happen to have to restore the backup, you can just overwrite the current file and you won't have to register a new VDI.