Error - "Object reference not set to an instance of an object." (76923)

Error message generated from vRanger during backups:

 "Object reference not set to an instance of an object."

One possible cause is:

 Nvram file missing the vm_name ( example nvram instead of vm_name.nvram)

There are some cases where nvram file is missing the vm_name, causing backup jobs to fail with error – "object reference not set to an instance of an object".

The VM will boot and shutdown without errors but Ranger will not perform the backup.

Step 1: Power down the VM and Remove from Inventory.

Step 2: Putty into the host

           run: vmware-cmd –l (to list VMs)

Step 3: cd to the VM in question:

            run: ls –lah (to view its folder contents)

Step 4: Notice all the files have the vm_name.file extension, except nvram. If this is true proceed to step 5.

Step 5: run: mv nvram vm_name.nvram (here we are renaming the file to vm_name.nvram)

Now we want to tell the vmx file of the change made.

Step 6: nano vm_name.vmx

Step 7: search for nvram,( usually the line below floppy0.present), and add nvram = “vm_name.nvram” (here we are adding the   location of the nvram file)

Step 8: CNTRL X, y, Enter to save changes

Now we need to register the VM into VCenter

Step 1: Login VIClient

Step 2: Find the host in Inventory view

Step 3:  Select summary Tab

Step 4:  Right click the datastore.

Step 5:  Find the VMs directory

Step 6:  Find the vmx file

Step 7:  Right click and add to inventory.

Step 8: Now power on the VM, and Run the backup job.