virtualbox.org

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?

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.

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

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.