Virtual Server 2005 R2 can not access the Virtual CD/DVD Drive.

[Bob]

Because my Windows Server 2003 x64 can not run GPMC (plus other apps and
tools), I must now install a 32-bit version under Virtual Server 2005 R2 (64
bit edition) using the Windows Server 2003 x64 as the host.

I've two machines being built the same way. The first is doing fine, but
the second has a problem with its Virtual Machine in that it can not access
the Virtual CD/DVD Drive when it is attached to the Physical CD/DVD drive on
the host. This of course makes it a bit difficult to install my virtual
machine, so I installed a couple via ISO's.

The Virtual CD/DVD Drive works fine when it is attached to a "Known image
files" (iso files).

And it acts as expected when "No media" is attached. e.g. message "Please
insert a disk into Drive (F:)".

I've tried reinstalling Virtual Server 2005 R2, but this was of no help.

But when it is attached to the Physical CD/DVD drive, the message at the
virtual guest machine is:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Windows cannot access this disc
The disc might be corrupt. Make sure that the disk uses a format that
Windows recognizes. If the disc is unformatted, you need to format it before
using it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

If I enable sharing of the DVD drive at the host, the virtual guest machine
can access it via a \\UNC path, but this doesn't help for a CD OS
installation as I must boot the CD.


I don't know if it is related or not, but BOTH the failing and working
virtual servers always posts the same error message s at start up. KB890893
article indicates I can safely ignore these errors, so I do. The start up
messages are as follows:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
The service principal names for Virtual Server could not be registered.
Constrained delegation cannot be used until the SPNs have been registered
manually. Error 0x80072098 - Insufficient access rights to perform the
operation.


The service principal name for the VMRC server could not be registered.
Automatic authentication will always use NTLM authentication. Error
0x80072098 - Insufficient access rights to perform the operation.

Some error has occurred during the creation of Service Connection points for
Virtual Server on Active Directory. Either a domain controller is not
available to complete the operation or there is a security problem accessing
the domain. This operation will be retried the next time the service starts.
Error 0x80070005 - Access is denied.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks!

--
Bob

[Mike Luo [MSFT]]

Thank you for using newsgroup!

For Error 0x80072098, you may ignore this. This is a by design. If you want
to fix the issue, please follow KB890893 to register SPN for Virtual Server
manually.

For guest machine can't access physical CD/DVD, I have the following
suggestions:
1. Locate to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon,
set values of "AllocateCDRoms" to 0, reboot the computer.
2. Update the CD-ROM driver.

[Bob]

I've checked the key "AllocateCDRoms" and it is set to 0 on both my working
and failing host servers.

I noticed however that if I toggle it to a "1" and fiddle with attaching the
Physical CD/DVD drive to the virtual machine, it is eventually recognized.

The problem is that is short lived. Upon the virtual machine reboot, the
originally problem returns. Toggling the "AllocateCDRoms" brings the
Physical CD/DVD drive back again, but only disappears upon the next reboot.

This toggling doesn't work for a virtual machine that doesn't have an OS
installed.

The CD-ROM drives were swapped between the working and failing machines.
The Device Manager reflects the change (one pair are Sony brand and the other
pair is "HL-DT-ST" brand). Windows apparently has the drivers already in
place as it recognized the drives just fine after the swap.

I tried adding the physical "Floppy Disk", and attaches just fine.

I think the problem stems from my error to install Roxio burning software.
I've since deinstalled that, but it is of no help.

Any other thoughts?

[Mike Luo [MSFT]]

Hello,

Thank you for your update!

This issue may be caused by the remaining Roxio burning software. I
recommend you manually remove the software, contact Roxio Technical Support
at the following Roxio Web site:
http://www.roxio.com

After removing the software, try to remove the Virtual Server and
re-install it.

[Mike Luo [MSFT]]

How's everything going?

If you have any further questions. Please feel free to respond to the
newsgroups if you need any additional help.

[JakeShovan]

Try checking your Virtual Server Administration Web Site. Go to Virtual Server Menu. Click "Server Properties" then click "Search Paths" - Make sure you define a search path to the correct directory! Your search path needs to contain your virtual machines. You also cannot run Windows Server 2003 (64 bit)on a virtual Server - Using Virtual Server 2005 R2 :(
- Jake Shovan

[sandiego]

I have found the only way around a CD drive not being recognised is to use the VMRC Plus application available from MS to run VS 2005. The web management just would not work after the first install. VMRC Plus is a pretty handy tool anyway.

I tried the VMRC Plus too. That did not work either.

This is insane. There is no way that Virtual Guest OS just does not detect Host CD Drive at all, which means nothing can be installed on the guest OS unless it's downloaded directly or done via .iso images.

I am totally frustrated with this! 2 days of trying to just read a CD :)

I have the exact same problem. The host is Vista Ultimate. I don't see the AllocateCDRoms key at all in the registry at that location. Any other ideas?

Thank you very much for your help! This is driving me insane!

[pixie2002]

Same problem here, anyone found an answer?