Microsoft KB Archive/938498

= Error message when you try to add a virtual hard disk drive to a virtual machine in Virtual Server 2005: &quot;The virtual hard disk could not be created because the configuration could not be saved&quot; =

Article ID: 938498

Article Last Modified on 11/2/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 Enterprise Edition

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SYMPTOMS
When you click OK after you add a virtual hard disk drive (VHD) to a virtual machine in Microsoft Virtual Server 2005, you receive the following error message:

The virtual hard disk could not be created because the configuration could not be saved.



CAUSE
This problem occurs if the .vhd file for the virtual hard disk drive has an open handle. This problem may occur if a program such as a third-party backup program has not released access to the file.



RESOLUTION
To troubleshoot and to resolve this problem, follow these steps.

Step 1: Determine whether the .vhd file has an open handle
 Verify that the path of the .vhd file is added to the Virtual Server Search Paths page on the Virtual Server 2005 Administration Web site. To do this, follow these steps:  Visit the Virtual Server 2005 Administration Web site, and then click Server Properties in the navigation pane. In the details pane, click the Search paths link. In the Search paths box, type the path of the folder in which the .vhd file is located, and then click OK.  Verify that the virtual hard disk drive is not added to any other virtual machine. Start Windows Explorer, and then try to copy the .vhd file to another folder. If you receive a &quot;file is open&quot; error when you try to copy the file, the .vhd file has an open handle.</li></ol>

Step 2: Determine which program has a handle on the .vhd file
 Download the Handle program (Handle.exe). To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/handle.mspx

</li> Extract the Handle program from the .zip archive package.</li> Start a command prompt, and then use the cd command to change to the directory to which you saved the Handle.exe program file.</li> Type the following command, and then press ENTER:

handle.exe

</li> If a Handle License Agreement dialog box appears, review the terms of the license agreement, and then click Agree if you agree to the terms of the license agreement.</li> If a program has a handle on the .vhd file, the program name appears at the command prompt.</li></ol>

Step 3: Stop or remove the program that has a handle on the .vhd file
Stop the service that corresponds to the program that has a handle on the .vhd file. Or, remove the program. You can then add the virtual hard disk drive to the virtual machine.

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MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the Handle program, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/handle.mspx

Keywords: kberrmsg kbtshoot kbprb KB938498

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