I just ran into this issue trying to convert a Windows 7 virtual machine (VM) running on vSphere 4.1. If you really need to use Converter then you can change the VMs setting for the Operating System to something else (like Windows XP) and this will allow converter to work. Just remember to change it back (to Windows 7) when you convert it back! My prefered workaround for this issue is to simply export the virtual machine as an.ovf. Shut down the virtual machine, select it in the inventory and then click File, Export and Export OVF Template. Save the.ovf file or folder (depending on your preference) locally and you are good to go.

• Converter Unable To Obtain Hardware Information For The Selected Machine
• Vmware Converter Unable To Obtain Hardware Information Linux

In my virtual machine Windows 7 occupies 9.61 Gb – my exported.ovf is a nice and tidy 4.48 Gb. Just for reference, these work-arounds apply to VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Client version 4.0.1 build 161434. Hopefully this will be fixed in a later release.

Converter Unable To Obtain Hardware Information For The Selected Machine

Vmware Converter Unable To Obtain Hardware Information Linux

Sometimes you get an error message 'Unable to obtain hardware information' or 'Unable to determine Guest Operating System' when using VMware Converter 4.01. This happens at least with VMware Converter 4.01 and converting x64 VM's like 'Windows 7' and 'Windows Server 2008 R2' from ESXi 4 U1.