Virtual Machine config file is invalid

I got this error when trying to run a Virtual Machine on VMWare Server 1.0.5 under Windows 2003 Server.

The error started after a reboot of the host which  coincided with the drive hosting the Virtual Machine running out of disk space. After clearing up some disk space and trying to start the VM again this error was persistent.

To fix this I deleted the files with .vmem and .vmem.lck file extensions (in this case one of each file).

When I tried to delete the .vmem.lck file the error “Cannot delete file because it’s being used by another person or program”. Even after stopping all the services titled VMWare within the services console I had to End Task a service starting with VMware from within Task Manager (not sure which one but there was only one task with all the services stopped). With the task killed and services stopped Windows allowed the deletion.

I started all the services again and the Virtual Machine started automatically.

TVtSched.exe Slowing down Lenovo Machines

I’ve discovered that Tvtsched.exe is sometimes using greater than 70% CPU in task manager on alot of Lenovo PC’s I manage. This software tends to really slow down the machines and they appear to lock up. The program causing this is is called ThinkVantage System Update.

To uninstall this:

Goto Add/Remove Programs and find ThinkVantage System Update and click remove.

When asked to remove other files click Yes.

While you are here also uninstall the ThinkVantage System Update  Toolbar Button for IE.

Note: You can also stop the service called TVT Scheduler in Control panel-> Administrative tools -> Services and mark it is disabled at startup if you cannot get to all your machines in person. Pushing this disabled setting out via group policy might be better if you have many machines and are time short.

sprtcmd.exe – Dell Support Center

This Dell Support Center software comes installed with Dell laptops (and presumably desktops). I’ve had issues with laptops not shutting down and you need to click an “End Now” dialogue on a restart or shutdown of the computer.

When you try and uninstall this program from “Add/remove programs” from within the control panel you will get an error message. To overcome this issue, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, click on Task manager button (if may automatically automatically open up without having to click on the Task Manager button).  On the Processes tab, find “sprtcmd.exe” and highlight it. Now click on the End Process button on the bottom right hand corner.

You should be now be able to uninstall this program using the Add/Remove Programs icon within the Control Panel.