(9 January 2013)
Problem
Running VMware Converter Standalone 5.0.1, installed on an XP system. Trying to "convert" a VMware Server 2.0 VM into a ESXi 5.1 server.
When the converter connects to the VMware Server system and inspects the VM, it says
unable to obtain hardware information.
I copied the VM folder to the local XP machine and pointed the converter at the local file. Same error.
I did make sure that the VM had been shut down cleanly before starting this process (as in, I stared the VM, stopped it cleanly, and then re-attempted everything.)
Solution
I installed the Converter on my Windows 7 system. I copied the VM folder to the Windows 7 system. Converter worked first try.
Lesson
VMware Server sucks. No wait, that isn't news. How about: VMware Converter isn't reliable on XP.