Vmware workstation takes too much time to shut down

external hard drivevmware-workstation

Each time I shuting down my virtual machine – it takes like 30 minutes for VM Ware to complete the process. The shut down is done, but it shows a black screen and doesn't respond to any command. I can't do a Power > Power OFF or Power > Suspend. When I click it – nothing changes.

When trying to close – it says "still busy".
This happens only when using a Virtual Machine stored on an external hard drive. When Virtual Machine files are stored on a local drive – everything is OK.
Hard drive is working good.

Any suggestions how can I investigate the issue?

Best Answer

Maybe this might work for you, for me it worked.

VM Takes Long Time to Shutdown Fix

  1. Shut down the VM before you do anything; if something like a Production server, you should either backup the entire directory that holds the VM files or take a snapshot (depends on your product).
  2. In the VM's folder, locate the .VMX file
  3. Make a copy (backup) of the file (this is important!)

  4. Edit the file using notepad (don't use anything like Word) - locate the following entries in file - if you DO NOT find them, add them to the bottom of the file:

    prefvmx.minVmMemPct = "100"
mainMem.useNamedFile = "FALSE"
mainMem.partialLazySave = "FALSE"
mainMem.partialLazyRestore = "FALSE"
  5. Save the file and exit notepad
  6. Start the VM - let it completely start, log in, then choose normal shutdown - should now shutdown in a matter of seconds.

I've had no adverse effects with these settings but use at your own risk.

Source: http://davidmsterling.blogspot.com.br/2012/08/vmware-virtual-machine-takes-long-time.html

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