VMDK check tool (Checking VMDK Disk for Errors)

Ensuring the integrity and performance of virtual disks is paramount for maintaining a smooth and efficient IT environment. For users leveraging VMware solutions, the Virtual Machine Disk (VMDK) is a cornerstone of their virtual infrastructure. However, like any digital file, VMDKs can suffer from corruption or errors due to various reasons, such as unexpected shutdowns, software glitches, or hardware failures. These errors, if left unchecked, could lead to data loss, degraded performance, and disruption of critical services.

This article focuses on the importance of regularly checking VMDK files for errors and introduces a comprehensive guide on utilizing VMDK check tools effectively. We will delve into the need for routine disk integrity checks and explore the tools and techniques available for detecting and repairing errors in VMDK files. By understanding how to identify and resolve potential issues quickly, you can safeguard your data, ensure the reliability of your virtual machines, and maintain the overall stability of your virtual environment.

Whether you are an IT professional responsible for managing enterprise-level virtualized systems or a user running several VMs for personal projects, knowing how to check and rectify VMDK errors is a critical skill. With this guide, you'll gain the practical know-how to ensure that your virtual disks remain healthy and robust, supporting the smooth operation of your VMware infrastructure.

Article content:

• How to know if VMDK is corrupted?

• How to fix corrupted VMDK?

How to fix corrupted VMDK?

You must first understand how these files are constructed in order to apply basic repair techniques to broken or faulty VMDK files. A VMDK file primarily consists of two different sorts of files, namely:

• VMDK

• *-flat.vmdk

The *-flat.vmdk serves as a plain text pointer for VMDK, where the * denotes the name of the VM Server. Follow the instructions below to fix your VMDK file in VMware if any of your.vmdk files are broken.

1. Boot the Machine

• Take the original VMDK file's backup file.

• Create a system pointer for the file.

• After making modifications, save the fields.

• In order to repair the damaged file, boot the virtual computer now.

2. Use command prompt

• Input cmd by pressing Windows+R, then click OK.

• Go to the VMware installation file by navigation.

• Type vmware-vsdiskmanager.exe into the command line.

• Press the Enter key.

DiskInternals VMFS Recovery

Step One:

Install VHD recovery tool from the official webpage and install it on your PC. After installation, connect the disk that contains the corrupted VMDK files you want to recover, then launch VMFS Recovery.

Tip: You can access the VMDK disk via SSH connections, iSCSI or Fiber Channel interface connections, or booting Windows to ESX / ESXi from an external drive and then launch the VMFS Recovery utility.

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Step Two:

Select the disk with the VMDK files when the Recovery Wizard appears automatically. Choose a scanning mode - Fast Recovery Mode or Full Recovery Mode.

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Step Three:

Allow DiskInternals VMFS Recovery to scan the disk and discover all the files you have ever saved on it. At the end of the scan, the deleted/lost files (including VMWare delete flat file) are indicated with a RED asterisk.

Note: DiskInternals VMFS Recovery free version lets you preview the recovered files but won't let you save them back to another storage. To save the recovered files, you must upgrade to the DiskInternals VMFS Recovery Pro version.