vMotion fails at 90% with the error: A general system error occurred: failed to resume on destination message

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• vMotion stops at 90% and fails
• You see the error:
  
  A general system error occurred: failed to resume on destination

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware ESX Server 3.5.x
VMware ESX 4.0.x
VMware VirtualCenter 2.0.x
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware VirtualCenter 2.5.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware ESX Server 3.0.x
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Embedded
VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Installable

Resolution

This problem may be seen when attempting to vMotion 64-bit virtual machines from an ESX/ESXi host with VT enabled in the BIOS to an ESX/ESXi host with VT not enabled in the BIOS.

The destination server needs to have VT enabled for this to work properly.

To change the VT setting in your system BIOS, contact your hardware vendor.

Additional Information

Note: Some system Vendors ship VT-capable systems without the ability to enable VT in the system BIOS. If you cannot find a way to enable VT in the system BIOS, contact your system vendor. An updated BIOS might be available.