Opened 14 years ago
Last modified 14 years ago
#8485 new defect
Differencing disk created from multiattach base disk is marked as auto-reset
| Reported by: | bitcrazed | Owned by: | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Component: | virtual disk | Version: | VirtualBox 4.0.4 |
| Keywords: | differencing disk, multiattach | Cc: | rich@… |
| Guest type: | Windows | Host type: | Windows |
Description
According to the VirtualBox docs:
Technically, a "multiattach" image behaves identically to an "immutable" image except the differencing image is not reset every time the machine starts.
This doesn't appear to be the case.
I created a VM with a dynamically sized disk, installed Win7, sysprepped the VM and shut it down. I released the HDD and used VBOXMANAGE MODIFYHD ... -TYPE MULTIATTACH to mark this HDD as immutable and that children should not auto-reset.
I then created a new VM, using the base HD which created a differencing disk for its own data.
Using VBOXMANAGE SHOWHDINFO ..., I examined the new VM's differencing disk and saw that it claims auto-reset is on.
I booted the new machine, completed the OOBE (Out Of Box Experience) and modified the desktop wallpaper. I shut down the VM and then rebooted it and was sent straight back to the OOBE again.
VirtualBox is a great product, but its poor handling of differencing disks, requiring users to delve around in the command-line tools to configure even the most rudumentary differencing scenarios, is, in my opinion, VirtualBox' biggest weakness, especially when compared to Hyper-V and VMWare.
PLEASE fix this bug and consider improving VirtualBox' GUI for handling differencing disks.
... FURTHER ...
After creating and booting the dependend VM, completing the OOBE, shutting down, rebooting to find that AUTORESET is on and completing OOBE AGAIN, I shut down the VM, turned off auto-reset using modifyhd and then rebooted.
I completed OOBE once again and modified the VM's desktop. Before shutting down I checked that auto-reset was off on the differencing disk. Then I shut-down the VM and re-checked the diff disk.
Imagine my surprise that auto-reset had been turned on again. WTF???? Seriously!
Why is VirtualBox ignoring MY CHOICES and violating its own documentation by forcing differencing disks into auto-reset mode when VM's are shut down?