Yesterday, I tried running my virtual machine (linux mint), but it wouldn't start. Eventually I concluded that the mint OS was messed up. I opened a log file in the virtual machine folder, and saw something about missing information in an .ini file.

I was successfully able to do a system restore, and the virtual machine worked again. I don't know how it got corrupted, but this can obviously happen again easily. So I want to know how to constantly make a back-up of my virtual machine, to another location on my pc?

I am new both to vmware player and linux. I have vmware player installed in a weird place in windows xp - in the "all users" "documents" folder!
When I installed the mint iso, it put the virtual machine it created in a folder called "my virtual machines" in the documents folder of the user that was logged in at the time. what needs to be backed up, how, and where to put it?

Thank you.

An error about an ini file smacks of a windows problem, not necessarily a problem with your VM. What exactly did the message say - this is rather important as without this we are just guessing. What exactly did you restore - your entire Windows installation? Doing so would probably fix the Windows problem that kept the VM from starting.

If it was a Windows problem, backing up your VM will not accomplish anything, and restoring it when it won't start will not fix the problem.

FWIW, if you are a novice at running VMs, I would recommend you scrap vmware player and use VirtualBox. I've found VirtualBox to be easier to use and to be more reliable. I've used them for many years, and I'll take VirtualBox over vmware any day.

To answer your question - just backup the entire "my virtual machines" directory. I usually copy it to a separate hard drive, but where you put it is up to you. Just make sure vmware is not running at the time you do this.

Fwiw, windows xp is not supported anymore, You might want to upgrade or download and use a linux distro.

You simply copy the folder of the virtual machine. It should contain at least one virtual hard drive file and maybe a few other files like a vmx and a few others. When you move it, and then start it back, it may say something to the effect of a new vm. Did you copy it or move it. I think it gives the hint of say copy if in doubt.

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Yes I did a complete system restore, and held my breath to see if it would work. (system restore is highly unreliable...)

Regarding VMware vs. Virtualbox, As I understand it it's just a matter of personal preference. The person guiding me in setting up a virtual machine to run linux on my PC recommended VMware, and has very clear tutorials about how to do this. He responded to my initial inquiries about ways to stay safe while XP remains on my PC. I know he's just some guy on a forum, but other highly ranked members on that forum encouraged me to follow his advice.
So that is what I have done.

Regarding the errors, error messages still scroll by rather quickly as the MintMate virtual machine is opening. The .ini one is not there anymore.
I do not know where to find the errors that were listed as I opened the linux virtual machine. I have some log files in the virtual machine folder that may be helpful. I do not know if there are also vmware player logs, nor whether they are relevant. Of course I can post the most recent log: the one that opened the virtual machine I am currently using. would that help?

It's a rather long log, but maybe the errors are in there.

I don't want to burden random people with such a long log, unless this is something they can visually scan easily and see the problems, due to their expertise.

If you are offering to look through that entire log, I'd be happy to post it!

Yes, I know, and I've been asking this question everywhere, in terms of security.

I will start a new thread for this.

I'm keeping my machine open for now, while I wait for anyone to post some responses. As per advice that jefro gave me in another post,

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...um-4175503284/

I will most probably be uninstalling and reinstalling vmware in a more logical location, so that I can open it up it in my non-admin windows user. The VMware Icon appears on all desktops, it just won't open the virtual machine. I wonder if the "my virtual machines" folder also needs to be moved, as to be accessible to all users. I sure hope I don't have to do a completely new mint installation.