Importing .ova file error

[Charej]

I am trying to import an .ova file into a new box. I am using version 6.0.24, and every time I try to import I get an error message that says

Failed to import appliance with the details giving a results code of E_INVALIDARG (0x80070057)

I have tried to import directly from the Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager, I have also tried to import by clicking on the .ova file directly, I have deleted the failed import VMs between the two attempts, and still no joy.

I have edited the appliance on the import dialog to reduce the cores to 1 and memory to 1000 in case the new host box cannot handle the size and still failed.

Please help. I don't know what I should attempt next.

Edit: Details to add
Host machine Windows 10 pro 64bit
Guest machine Windows 7 pro 64bit

[scottgus1]

Please try the import one more time, then go to C:\Users\{youraccount}\.Virtualbox, and zip & post the VboxSVC.log, using the forum's Upload Attachment tab.

[Charej]

Here is the zip file. Thanks for looking at this with me.

[scottgus1]

Here's what is logged as possible problems:

01:56:21.634210 ERROR [COM]: aRC=VBOX_E_FILE_ERROR (0x80bb0004) aIID={ad47ad09-787b-44ab-b343-a082a3f2dfb1} aComponent={MediumWrap} aText={Could not find file for the medium 'C:\Users\cbtec\VirtualBox VMs\New group 2\Windows7\Charej-disk001_2.iso' (VERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND)}, preserve=false aResultDetail=-102
01:56:21.634348 ERROR [COM]: aRC=VBOX_E_FILE_ERROR (0x80bb0004) aIID={ad47ad09-787b-44ab-b343-a082a3f2dfb1} aComponent={MediumWrap} aText={Could not find file for the medium 'C:\Users\cbtec\VirtualBox VMs\New group 2\Windows7\Charej-disk002.vmdk' (VERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND)}, preserve=false aResultDetail=-102
02:35:53.184182 createImport ERROR [COM]: aRC=VBOX_E_FILE_ERROR (0x80bb0004) aIID={ad47ad09-787b-44ab-b343-a082a3f2dfb1} aComponent={MediumWrap} aText={Could not create the imported medium 'C:\Users\cbtec\VirtualBox VMs\New group 2\Windows7\Charej-disk002.vdi' (VERR_VD_VMDK_INVALID_FORMAT)}, preserve=false aResultDetail=-3244

One of those errors, VERR_VD_VMDK_INVALID_FORMAT, implies that Virtualbox cannot make sense of the contents of the OVA, because the file is corrupted.

As a test, install a fresh working guest, then export it and import it. If this process works, it indicates your Virtualbox is working, and the problem is in the OVA.

[Charej]

Ok, it may take a while to export the file again but I will do so and try again.

[Charej]

That did the trick. Not sure when that file was corrupted, it has been my backup for a while. I have installed from it before, but apparently you were correct and that was the issue.

Thank you so much for your rapid response.

[scottgus1]

Glad you are up and running!

BTW Exporting isn't recommended for backing up a VM. Export changes some guest settings, and a change in the guest means there's no way to confirm the backup. UUIDs are changed too, which upends activation.

A simple file-copy of the guest folder, with the guest .vbox file, Snapshots and Logs folders, and the guest virtual disk file(s), is the best way to back up a guest. The copy can be 'FC' file-compared on local backup media, or hashed for offsite media, to confirm the copies. The guest OS should be fully shut down, not save-stated.

[Charej]

I am trying to get the same appliance on 4 separate machines. Is that the best way to make sure it's going to work properly? I have them all working right now, but the copies are telling me I have an unauthorized copy of Windows 7. I only use one at a time, but I want to have them properly staged in situ for when I need them. If there is a better way, I am all ears!

[scottgus1]

Export changes some guest settings....UUIDs are changed too, which upends activation.

A direct file copy keeps the old UUIDs, so activation should remain set. Note that if you ever decide to run these VMs more than one at a time you will need licenses for each simultaneous VM.

[Charej]

Just got some free time to try to resolve this issue. Where would I find the guest files to copy on my host machine?

[scottgus1]

Right-click the guest in the main Virtualbox window's guest list, choose Show in Explorer. A folder window will open inside the guest folder. Go up one folder level, and copy that folder. You will also need to copy any of the guest's disk files that are not in the guest folder.

[Charej]

Ok, that will have to wait until I get off the road. My file is 120 GB. I don't have a memory stick that large with me.

[Charej]

Right-click the guest in the main Virtualbox window's guest list, choose Show in Explorer. A folder window will open inside the guest folder. Go up one folder level, and copy that folder. You will also need to copy any of the guest's disk files that are not in the guest folder.

I have done this step and then copied data into the new host VMs folder. Now what? It doesn't show up in the list in the VM Manager. How do I get the manager to recognize the new files?

[scottgus1]

In the main Virtualbox window, Machine menu, Add, browse to the new guest's .vbox file and add it.

[Charej]

Failed to open virtual machine located in ...etc.

A differencing image of snapshot could not be found. Could not find an open hard disk with UUID. plus a bunch of other data inside brackets...