Validating the .vmx settings of a virtual machine in Fusion

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• The virtual machine does not power on
• The virtual machine does not boot
• You see one of these errors:
   
  • VMX file is corrupt
  • No config file found
  • Error getting config file full path
  • Dictionary load error

Environment

VMware Fusion Pro 12.x
VMware Fusion 11.x
VMware Fusion Pro 10.x
VMware Fusion Pro 11.x
VMware Fusion 3.x
VMware Fusion 2.x
VMware Fusion 10.x
VMware Fusion 6.x
VMware Fusion 7.x
VMware Fusion 12.x
VMware Fusion 4.x
VMware Fusion 1.x
VMware Fusion 8.x
VMware Fusion 5.x

Resolution

This issue may occur if the virtual machine configuration file (.vmx) has settings that prevent it from powering on properly.

 

To resolve this issue:

1. Confirm that you are logged in as a user with administrator rights or root privileges. For more information, see Common Mac OS operations that may be needed with VMware Fusion.
    
2. Open the .vmx file of the virtual machine for editing. For more information, see Editing the .vmx file for your VMware Fusion virtual machine.
   
   Note: Back up the.vmx file before making changes to it.
    
3. Confirm all of these points:
    
   1. Verify that you are able to view the contents of the file. If you cannot view the contents, confirm the file permissions. For information on troubleshooting permissions issues, see Investigating permissions for Fusion virtual machines
   2. Verify that the contents are readable and do not appear to be cut off. If the contents are not readable or are cut off, restore this file from a backup or proceed to Step 4.
   3. Verify that the entries are meaningful and correct:
       
      • If you see an entry for a virtual device or a setting that does not match what you expect, edit the settings for the virtual machine from Fusion's Virtual Machine > Settings pane. If the Settings pane has the correct information, remove the device and add it back again, or modify the settings temporarily and revert it the initial value again.
      • If you see an entry that that is incorrect or not meaningful, remove it.
         
4. Create a new virtual machine that points to the same virtual disks. For more information, see Creating a virtual machine from an existing virtual disk in VMware Fusion.
   
   Note: In Fusion 3.x and later, when prompted, select Take this disk away from the virtual machine currently using it.
    
5. Power on the new virtual machine that is created. If the virtual machine powers on, you may have to copy settings such as Shared/Mirrored folders or additional virtual disks. Ensure to delete the backup copy of the virtual machine.

If the issue continues to exist:

• Collect the Fusion Support Information. For more information, see Collecting diagnostic information for VMware Fusion.
• Contact VMware Support and reference this Knowledge Base article in the problem description of your support request. For more information, see How to Submit a Support Request.

Additional Information