Problem: Using VM Converter 4.0.1 to make a v2v clone of a Windows 2008 R2 VM and receive the error “Unable to obtain hardware information for the selected machine”.
Solution: Workaround: VM converter 4.0.1 has a bug when converting Windows 2008 R2 VMs. Either use vCenter/VIC/or edit the config file to specify the VM O/S as Vista 64bit. Refresh converter and reselect the VM. Converter will recognize the VM and allow you to clone/convert it. After the conversion change the O/S back to Windows 2008 R2 before powering back on.
semih soykal
November 14, 2011 at 3:38 pm
So the trick is these steps:
Write down the Guest Operating System type
(You can perform step 1, 2 and 4 by pressing “Edit Settings” in the VM, in the dialog then go to the “Options” tab. )
Change your VM configuration Guest Operating System type to a similar processor type (keep 64-bit or 32-bit) for a lower release of the OS (Windows 7 -> Vista -> XP, etc)
Convert your VM; if it fails, go back to step 2
Restore the VM configuration Guest Operating System type to the original saved in step 1
semih soykal