VMware “Unable to access file since it is locked” when removing snapshot
Today I ran into a problem with a VM which have snapshots but are not visible in the VMware snapshot manager. As you can see in the screenshot vCenter reports no snapshots;
But when I took a look at the datastore folder of this VM in noticed several delta vmdk files which indicates there are active snapshots. The properties of the VM's configuration also supports this thought.
So how to fix this? The most easy way is to create a new snapshot and after creating hit the 'Delete All' button (as described in VMware KB 1002310). After I did this a new error pops up; "Unable to access file <unspecified filename> since it is locked".
Why is it locked? Well, you can find out by following the instructions in VMware KB 10051 but I my case it was simple. The customer is using snapshots for backups by Veeam Backup and Replication, so the only one who's making snapshots is the Veeam VM. The specific job which responsible for the problem VM was crashed and that's why the base VMDK of the problem VM was still locked by the Veeam VM. After disconnecting the VMDK from the Veeam VM I was able to create a new snapshot and hit the "Delete All" button to commit the delta-vmdks.
VMware vSphere Memory diagram
For all my colleagues (and other virtualization enthusiasts), VMware released 2 weeks ago a diagram which explains how the memory assignment and over-commitment techniques works in vSphere 5. A must have poster for every vSphere admin!
Download your copy over at VMware KB: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2017642
Media Center based on Zotac ZBOX AD02
![ZBOX-AD02_image6-[800x600]_108x150](http://www.robvanhamersveld.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ZBOX-AD02_image6-800x600_108x150.jpg "ZBOX-AD02_image6-[800x600]_108x150")
Last week I received my Zotac ZBOX AD02. Zotac is a company specialized in building small mini PC's which are very interesting for home entertainment use because of the small formfactor and low power consumption. I was looking for an alternative to my (very big and noisy) old HTPC. A few weeks back I got my brand new Apple TV 3 but there isn't a jailbreak for so it's still in its box waiting for that.
In this post I'll describe how I install the ZBOX with Windows 7 and XBMC Media Center.
Where to find vCenter Server Appliance 5.0 Update 1
Last week I've been installing a vSphere cluster at a customer site. All the hosts are running VMware vSphere 5.0 Update 1. The customer also wants to use the vCenter Server Appliance as alternative to a Windows based VM running VMware vCenter Server. After a one hour search at the VMware Download site I couldn't find it...
So where is it? Well, it's not strange I couldn't find it because it isn't there... As you can read in the vCenter Server 5.0 Update 1 release notes the appliance will be available later this year;
Oke, so what now? If you don't have to use the new features and fixes in Update 1 you can safely use the vCenter Appliance 5.0 which you can download over here.
4 Editions of Microsoft Windows 8
Yesterday Microsoft announced the number of 'Windows 8' editions and its related features. There will be 4 different editions of Windows 8 (Windows 7 has 6 editions). Next to that Microsoft also confirmed 'Windows 8' as the official name for the next version of Windows.
Windows 8
The first one is 'Windows 8', this edition is similar to Windows 7 Home Premium and the best choice for the home user. New in this edition compared with Windows 7 Home Premium is the ability to change the interface language after the installation (not once but every time you want), in Windows 7 this feature is only available in the Enterprise and Ultimate editions. Please note that the 'Media Center' feature is not available (this is optional to Windows 8 Pro, read below).
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Pro is the business edition of Windows 8 with support for Active Directory domain services, BitLocker and other features which are now available in Windows 7 Professional. Next to the standard features you'll have the ability to buy the optional 'Media Center'-package.
Windows 8 Enterprise
This edition will offer the same as Windows 8 Pro with some extra features like multiple deployment options, more security features, virtualization and computer management.
Windows 8 RT
This is an complete new version of Windows 8 to run on ARM-based devices (Phones and Tablets). This edition will only be available pre-installed. The Windows 8 RT edition will include modified versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote optimized for touchscreens.
See the chart below for an overview of all features by edition.