XEN based target virtual machines running Windows 2000, 2003 and XP may have an unknown device in device manager after a successful conversion

  • 7921072
  • 29-May-2008
  • 27-Apr-2012

Environment

PlateSpin Migrate and PlateSpin Protect used with XEN-based target hosts.

Situation

This article discusses an issue which may occur on a target virtual machine hosted on a XEN based virtual Server.

After a P2V Conversion of Windows 2000, 2003 and XP to a XEN based virtual server, the virtual machine running one of the above operating systems may have an unknown device in device manager.

After performing a P2V conversion of a Windows 2000, 2003, or XP system which does not contain the latest service pack for the operating system, an unknown device may appear in device manager and you may be prompted to install drivers when the system boots.

This issue may occur on Windows based systems which do not have the latest service packs installed. XEN based virtual machines use and emulated BIOS which exposes an HPET (High Precision Event timer) timer to windows guests. As older operating systems do not have support for HPET devices it may cause an unknown device to appear in device management.

Please review the following XEN forum post for more information.

http://forums.xensource.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2903&tstart=-1&messageID=11967

 

Resolution

Solution 1: Disable the unknown device in device manager

Solution 2: Update to the latest service pack available for the operating system

If you have questions about this article please contact PlateSpin Support at support@platespin.com