deleted snapshot in vc but still seeing vmsn file

[tdubb123]

I deleted all my snapshots for a vm but still seeing the vmsn file and lot of smaller vmdk files in the vm folder. any idea?

[athlon_crazy]

Could be you have broken snapshot chain. You need to check at the backend for snapshot (delta) using CLI perhaps $ls -lah /vmfs/volumes/.../vmfolder .

vcbMC-1.0.6 Beta

vcbMC-1.0.7 Lite

[tdubb123]

I followed this link but neither method works in deleting the snapshot

http://virtrix.blogspot.com/2007/06/vmware-dreadful-sticky-snapshot.html

[tdubb123]

followed this link as well and failed to remove snapshot

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=1002310&sl...

# vmware-cmd /vmfs/volumes/4ae5d09c-c23e0ebe-6c13-00221902f0a9/test2/test2.vmx removesnapshots

Task reported error: (vim.fault.FileLocked) {

dynamicType = '

}

removesnapshots() = 0

[Basheer09]

Please try cloning your VM this will commit your data in clone.

vmkfstools -i <last snapshot.vmdk> <newpath/filename.vmdk>

Once the clone is done. Attach the clone disk to VM and verify if the data is intact. If yes then go ahead and delete your original disk and snapshot and move this clone to the same location as original disk.

Kindly click on helpful/correct button, if you find this info useful.

[Mohammad1982]

I agree with you Basheer. The clone will commit(consolidate) snapshot . This is the safest method to consolidate snapshots.

Also you can use converter to consolidate the snapshots.

Hope this helps.

[tdubb123]

how do i know which snapshot to use or the latest snapshot to clone?

# ls -l | more

total 38898816

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000001-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 151058432 Jun 12 13:28 test2-000001-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 384 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000001.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000002-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 184612864 Jun 13 06:57 test2-000002-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000002.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000003-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 06:59 test2-000003-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000003.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000004-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 67172352 Jun 13 09:27 test2-000004-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000004.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000005-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:28 test2-000005-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000005.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000006-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:32 test2-000006-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000006.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000007-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:33 test2-000007-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000007.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000008-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:34 test2-000008-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000008.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000009-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:35 test2-000009-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000009.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000010-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:39 test2-000010-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000010.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000011-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:42 test2-000011-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000011.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000012-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:44 test2-000012-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000012.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000013-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:45 test2-000013-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000013.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000014-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:46 test2-000014-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000014.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000015-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:47 test2-000015-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000015.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000016-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 09:58 test2-000016-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:18 test2-000016.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000017-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 10:13 test2-000017-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:40 test2-000017.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000018-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 10:16 test2-000018-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 13 10:40 test2-000018.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000019-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 13 10:40 test2-000019-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 04:41 test2-000019.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000020-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 151058432 Jun 14 04:40 test2-000020-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 04:41 test2-000020.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000021-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 04:41 test2-000021-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 08:11 test2-000021.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000022-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 83949568 Jun 14 08:10 test2-000022-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 08:11 test2-000022.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000023-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 08:11 test2-000023-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 08:14 test2-000023.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000024-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 08:13 test2-000024-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 08:14 test2-000024.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000025-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 08:14 test2-000025-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 08:56 test2-000025.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000026-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 08:35 test2-000026-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 08:35 test2-000026.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000027-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 33617920 Jun 14 08:56 test2-000027-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 11:03 test2-000027.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000028-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 09:17 test2-000028-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 09:17 test2-000028.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000029-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 50395136 Jun 14 11:03 test2-000029-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 368 Jun 14 09:17 test2-000029.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000030-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 11:28 test2-000030-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 368 Jun 14 11:04 test2-000030.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000031-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 11:39 test2-000031-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 11:42 test2-000031.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000032-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 11:39 test2-000032-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 11:43 test2-000032.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000033-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 11:43 test2-000033-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 391 Jun 14 12:03 test2-000033.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000034-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 352385024 Jun 14 11:57 test2-000034-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 394 Jun 14 11:48 test2-000034.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000035-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 33617920 Jun 14 12:04 test2-000035-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 368 Jun 14 12:04 test2-000035.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000036-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 83949568 Jun 14 15:49 test2-000036-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 368 Jun 14 12:04 test2-000036.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000037-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 15:51 test2-000037-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 368 Jun 14 15:49 test2-000037.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000038-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 33617920 Jun 14 15:57 test2-000038-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 368 Jun 14 15:51 test2-000038.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 16:02 test2-000039-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 304 Jun 14 16:08 test2-000039.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:08 test2-000040-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 16840704 Jun 14 16:08 test2-000040-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 368 Jun 14 16:03 test2-000040.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 14 16:21 test2-000041-ctk.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 352385024 Jun 17 00:29 test2-000041-delta.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 361 Jun 14 16:21 test2-000041.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 3221225472 Jun 15 03:50 test2_1-flat.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 444 Jun 15 00:00 test2_1.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 13 Jun 14 16:20 test2-aux.xml

-rw------- 1 root root 1966592 Jun 11 17:02 test2-ctk.vmdk

-rw-rr 1 root root 37 Jun 12 14:34 test2-dd2c2e66.hlog

-rw------- 1 root root 2147483648 Jun 14 16:21 test2-dd2c2e66.vswp

-rw------- 1 root root 32212254720 Jun 11 17:02 test2-flat.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 8684 Jun 14 16:22 test2.nvram

-rw------- 1 root root 556 Jun 13 10:18 test2.vmdk

-rw------- 1 root root 857 Jun 14 16:20 test2.vmsd

-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 3678 Jun 14 16:23 test2.vmx

-rw------- 1 root root 1845 Jun 14 16:22 test2.vmxf

-rw-rr 1 root root 88080 May 29 06:36 vmware-46.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 67062 May 29 12:40 vmware-47.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 917151 Jun 12 04:30 vmware-48.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 89073 Jun 12 14:35 vmware-49.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 2081711 Jun 14 16:08 vmware-50.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 55517 Jun 14 16:16 vmware-51.log

-rw-rr 1 root root 88075 Jun 15 16:32 vmware.log

[a_p_]

Haven't seen this in a while. It looks like you are using VDR and enabled changed block tracking!?

If so it may be helpful to disable VDR while cleaning up.

The current/latest snapshot is the one your VM points to in the HDD settings (or vmx file).

I guess a clone would be the best solution, except you are already on ESXi 4.0 U2, then you could also use the "Delete All" function to remove the snapshots without the risk of getting out of disk space.

André

[tdubb123]

i disabled using vdr for backups. but under snapshot manager in vc, I do not see any snapshots.

When i try to clone the vmdk file it says

Failed to open 'test2-000042.vmdk': Failed to lock the file (16392)

[a_p_]

To which vmdk file does the vmx point to?

You may check this in the GUI in Edit settings, then take a look at the virtual HDD.

The snapshot manager shows the chain based on the entries in the vmsd file, this seems to be corrupted.

Strange error about the 'test2-000042.vmdk' since this snapshot does not exist according to the listing you posted.

How do you try to clone the vmdk? GUI, CLI, which command?

André

[tdubb123]

yes i took a snapshot from the gui. then check the hd and it shows as pointing to 42. then within the console

i ran

vmkfstools -i 42.vmdk /vmfs/volumes/.../test2.vmdk

but says its locked

[a_p_]

yes i took a snapshot from the gui.

This explains the 'test2-000042.vmdk'

In your listing I saw a vswp file. Make sure you shut down the VM before creating the clone!

You need to specify another name for the destination vmdk, it cannot be the same as the source.

try e.g. vmkfstools -i test2-000042.vmdk /vmfs/volumes/.../test2-clone.vmdk

André

[tdubb123]

ok i successfully cloned it. powered it on and its working now. but when trying to delete the old folder it gived this error

# rm -fr test2

rm: cannot remove `test2/test2_1-flat.vmdk': Device or resource busy

rm: cannot remove `test2/test2-flat.vmdk': Device or resource busy

[a_p_]

What exactly did you do so far?

Did you create a new folder for the clone and attach it to a new VM or did you attach the cloned disk to the "old" vm?

Did you delete the old VM from the inventory?

This time you have an additional disk "test2_1-flat.vmdk" which wasn't in the file list before!?

Make sure the virtual disks are not attached to any VM in your inventory and you don't need them anymore. Then delete them using the datastore browser. If you still cannot delete the files I'd recommend a host reboot, maybe there are some "hanging" processes.

André

Please consider to mark correct and/or helpful answers and set the thread to answered once the issue is solved.

[tdubb123]

hi

I stil cannot delete this old disk. no vm is using it. I rebooted the host as well

[tdubb123]

how do I find outwhat is using this file?