SOLVED VM doesn't boot till I VNC to it

[Caleb Surface]

Hi, all! I couldn't find another thread discussing this so here it goes!

I successfully created a Windows 10 VM that runs fantastic! The only problem is that everytime it needs to boot, I have to connect to it via VNC first. The autostart option is checked, so it shouldn't be that. Any thoughts?

 

[chris crude]

Hi, all! I couldn't find another thread discussing this so here it goes!

I successfully created a Windows 10 VM that runs fantastic! The only problem is that everytime it needs to boot, I have to connect to it via VNC first. The autostart option is checked, so it shouldn't be that. Any thoughts?

There is a checkbox "wait to boot" on the screen where you setup the VNC device.

 

[Caleb Surface]

There is a checkbox "wait to boot" on the screen where you setup the VNC device.

Beautiful—thanks!

 

[chris crude]

You are welcome.
Now that win10 is running, if you have any stability issues, changing your FreeNAS NIC driver from Intel to VirtIO and installing the VirtIO driver inside the VM clears this up for most people.

 

[sharrington]

The checkbox got me too man! Thanks for the save Chris.

 

[cheetoX]

The wording on the description is confusing:
"Set for the VNC client to wait until the VM has booted before attempting the connection."

It sounds like the VNC client won't start until the VM has booted, but according to the comments above, it is the VM that is waiting until the VNC client is started.

 

[ClassicGOD]

Moth******er! :D I spent few hours yesterday trying all virtual frame buffers and grub configurations to figure out why my Lubuntu is not booting without the VNC connected. The description of this checkbox had me completely fooled.

 

[jlficken]

That got me too.

Thanks to those that posted the solution!!!

I am new to FreeNAS and there is a bit of a learning curve.

 

[Frikkn]

No matter if the checkbox is ticked or not for me, VMs do not start until I VNC into it.

 

[raidflex]

No matter if the checkbox is ticked or not for me, VMs do not start until I VNC into it.

I deleted the VNC interface after I setup an Ubuntu Server instance, I just SSH in anyways. This will also save about 5-10% CPU usage, for some reason the VNC interface uses unnecessary resources even when nothing is connected to the VM.

 

[Andy C]

No matter if the checkbox is ticked or not for me, VMs do not start until I VNC into it.

This checkbox seems to have disappeared in FreeNAS-11.2-RELEASE-U1. Is the workaround to simply delete the VNC device ?

 

[adam_0]

This checkbox seems to have disappeared in FreeNAS-11.2-RELEASE-U1. Is the workaround to simply delete the VNC device ?

In FreeNAS-11.2-RELEASE-U1, I didn't set up the VNC device at all, but I was able to edit it. Virtual Machines -> Select "Edit" from the dropdown -> Edit the VNC device -> select "Wait to boot".

 

[rliver73]

No matter if the checkbox is ticked or not for me, VMs do not start until I VNC into it.

You may have fixed this in the meantime but i had the same problem. I fixed this by 1st making sure the VMs were stopped. I deleted off the the VNC and then added them again, just binding the port and put the boot order at the end.

 

[KevDog]

The layout and how to change this is definitely NOT USER INTUITIVE. I'm currently on 11.2-U6. Here is how to get to the menu that adam_posted (#12). Using the New FreeNAS GUI (Not Legacy) -- Select Virtual Machines in the Left Hand drop down column. In the right hand column you'll be presented with a list of your VMs (assuming you have some). On the line listing your virtual machine -> Go to the far right and select the 3 dots and select Devices. You'll be presented with items such as NIC, DISK, CDROM, and VNC. Click on the 3 dots on the VNC interface and you'll be presented with the menu such as on post #12. Deselect Wait to boot.

I'll only rant because this option shouldn't be buried this far down within the submenu. Hopefully this helps someone.

 

[fahadshery]

Is there a way I could change (uncheck this option) on the running VMs?
I checked it and it wont boot up until I connect to VNC. I can't see any option in the GUI where I could uncheck this option

 

[sretalla]

I can't see any option in the GUI where I could uncheck this option

It's under the VNC device of the VM.

 

[fahadshery]

tvm @sretalla ... found and sorted!

 

[tcdk]

Have this option been removed in ~TrueNAS 13?

I know the option is there when creating an VM, but if you later decide to change it - Where do you do that? There is nothing under Virtual Machines>Your machine>Edit or in VNCs settings (in the VNC window)

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Virtual Machines > Your Machine > Devices > VNC > Edit > Delay VM Boot Until VNC Connects

 

[tcdk]

Thanks. Found it.
Extremly counter intuitive.