ESXi to PVE: Windows VM Migration Error

andybrunner

New Member
Nov 12, 2024
3
0
1
Zurich
I am in the process of migrating my ESXi 8.0U3 to Proxmox 8.2.7, but failed already at the first VM:
  • ESXi: Removed VMware Tools from Guest VM (Windows 2012) and rebooted - OK
  • ESXi: Shutdown VM - OK
  • PVE: Added ESXi to Storage - OK
  • PVE: Migrated VM to PVE 8.2.7 (see screenshot) - OK
  • PVE: Boot VM - Error
Problem:
  • Windows shows the spinning wheel and reboots twice and stops at the recovery screen asking for the keyboard layout.
  • After that, Windows shows the message that the drive is locked.

What did I wrong?
 

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I'd suggest to re-import using following:

Whilst importing under Advanced >
Check option "Prepare for VirtIO-SCSI"
Select SCSI controller = VirtIO SCSI:

1731427267949.png
 
I wanted to add the VirtIO devices after the first boot, as the VirtIO drivers are not yet present as a ISO in the VM.

But I think that PVE should be able to at least boot the VM after migration from ESXi.
 
let me know how migration goes with VirtIO SCSI Controller.

Once migration is completed

then you can install drivers, on the Windows OS.
 
It isn't a matter of PVE "being able to boot the VM" as much it is a question of drivers. Does Windows have drivers for the hardware you have given it? A lot depends on the previous setup since Windows doesn't install all the drivers it has but only the ones it thinks it needs.

Maybe try SATA instead of the LSI SCSI.
Make sure the old system was booting the VM in the same mode (legacy BIOS vs EFI).
What was the previous CPU type and is x86_64_AES compatible with it?
 
Finally I was able to migrate the ESXi VM. I changed the disk adapter from SCSI in the ESXi VM to IDE before the migration. Then everything worked fine - strange.
 

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