Troubleshooting Module VPMC Power On Failure Issues in VMware Workstation

Key Notes

• Learn about the significance of the VPMC in VMware Workstation.
• Step-by-step instructions to resolve the ‘VPMC power on failed’ error.
• Considerations for enabling automatic power on for virtual machines.

Resolving the VPMC Power On Failed Error in VMware Workstation

If you encounter the error indicating ‘Module VPMC Power on failed’ in VMware Workstation, it is crucial to understand the underlying issue. This guide will explore the causes behind this error and provide you with effective solutions to solve this challenge.

Understanding the ‘VPMC’ Power On Failed Error in VMware Workstation

The VPMC, or Virtual CPU Performance Monitoring Counters, is integral in monitoring the performance of virtual CPUs within virtual machines (VMs).When you encounter the ‘Module VPMC Power on failed’ error, consider the following resolutions:

1. Disable CPU performance counters.
2. Turn off hardware virtualization.
3. Re-import the virtual machine image.
4. Disable Hyper-V.

This article will explore each of these solutions in detail.

Step 1: Disable CPU Performance Counters

CPU Performance Monitoring Counters (PMCs) allow tracking of processor efficiency and are commonly used by profiling tools. To disable them, you can either modify VM settings through the VMware interface or change the VM configuration file, known as the .vmx file, to set VPMC to False.

Follow these steps to adjust virtual machine properties:

1. Open VMware Workstation, then right-click on the virtual machine and select Power > Power Off.
2. Right-click the virtual machine again and select Settings.
3. Go to the Hardware tab.
4. In the Processors section, open the Virtualization Engine and uncheck the option for Virtualize CPU performance counters.
5. Click the OK button to apply your changes.
6. Try powering on the virtual machine to see if the problem persists.

Alternatively, to change the VMX file for a deployed virtual machine, navigate to its directory (usually located in your home directory, like C:\Users\yusuf\OneDrive\Documents\Virtual Machines\Debian 12.x 64-bit ), right-click the VMX file, and add or modify the line: vpmc.enable = “FALSE”.

Step 2: Turn Off Hardware Virtualization

Disabling CPU Performance Monitoring Counters may occasionally lead to a new error indicating unsupported nested virtualization, triggering a Module ‘HV’ power-on failure. To resolve this, you’ll need to disable the hardware virtualization settings.

1. Launch VMware Workstation ensuring the virtual machine is powered off.
2. Right-click on the VM and select Settings.
3. Choose the Hardware > Processors tab.
4. Uncheck Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI in the Virtualization Engine section.
5. Confirm changes by clicking Ok.

Afterward, attempt to power on your virtual machine again.

Step 3: Re-import the Virtual Machine Image

While the initial solutions may provide temporary relief, ideally, CPU Performance Monitoring Counters should work without issues. If disabling them results in loss of functionality, ensure that the virtual machine was not running during the migration or when the image was created. Consider making changes to the.vmx file while VMware is fully closed. Alternatively, import your VM image into a newly configured virtual machine.

Step 4: Disable Hyper-V

Hyper-V is a Windows Hypervisor feature used for managing virtual machines through Hyper-V Manager. However, to fully utilize VMware Workstation, it is strongly recommended to disable Hyper-V.

1. Access the Control Panel.
2. Change the View by option to Large icons.
3. Click on Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off.
4. Locate Hyper-V in the list and deactivate it.
5. Confirm your selection by clicking Ok.

Create your virtual machine again afterward to ascertain if the problem is resolved.

Summary

This guide provides vital information and practical steps to resolve the ‘Module VPMC Power on failed’ error in VMware Workstation. By following these solutions, users can quickly troubleshoot and reactivate their virtual machines without long interruptions.

Conclusion

The ‘Module VPMC Power on failed’ error can be efficiently addressed by disabling CPU performance counters, turning off hardware virtualization, re-importing VM images, or disabling Hyper-V. Each method serves as a potential solution to get your VMware Workstation running smoothly again, allowing you to maximize virtualization efficiency.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)