Unsupported virtual machine configuration - virtual machine additions not detected
[This topic is intended to address a specific issue called out by the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool. You should apply it only to systems that have had the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool run against them and are experiencing that specific issue. The Exchange Server Analyzer Tool, available as a free download, remotely collects configuration data from each server in the topology and automatically analyzes the data. The resulting report details important configuration issues, potential problems, and nondefault product settings. By following these recommendations, you can achieve better performance, scalability, reliability, and uptime. For more information about the tool or to download the latest versions, see "Microsoft Exchange Analyzers" at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=34707.]
Topic Last Modified: 2005-12-15
The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Win32_ComputerSystem Microsoft Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to determine whether the value for the Model key is set to "Virtual Machine".
The Exchange Server Analyzer also reads the following registry entry to determine whether virtual machine additions have been installed:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Virtual Machine\Guest\Parameters
The presence of this registry path indicates that virtual machine additions have been installed. If this registry path is not present it indicates that virtual machine additions have not been installed.
The Exchange Server Analyzer displays an error if the following conditions are true:
The value for the Model key is set to "Virtual Machine".
This registry path is not present.
This error indicates that the Exchange server is a virtual machine but that the virtual machine additions are not installed. This configuration is not supported.
To install virtual machine additions
Back up the Exchange Server that is running in the virtual environment.
Install the Virtual Machine Additions using the Virtual Server 2005 administrative console or Web site.
For more information about how to run Exchange Server 2003 in a virtual environment, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 320220, "Support policy for Exchange Server 2003 running on hardware virtualization software" (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=320220).