Hello.
This is a warning to all users.
Few days ago my VM crashed (I have posted a message here Re: VM crashed! Desperately trying to recover files!).
I lost ALL of my VM contents after some kind of writing error. There was no accidental disconnection, no power failure, no HD damage.
Since then I cannot run/access the VM anymore and AFAIK there's no recovery tool available.
This would not happen with a physical disk, unless I got an electronic/mechanical failure.
If there was a writing problem in a physical disk I would lose some files, not the ENTIRE disk.
Also, sometimes it's possible to install the problematic HD as a secondary disk and read the information using the primary disk or a bootable CD/DVD, etc.
This is not possible with VMs (AFAIK).
When you use a physical hard disk, the only threat to lose ALL your data is an electronic/mechanical failure.
But a VM is just a bunch of files, so you have that mentioned threat MORE the threat of writing errors by operating system.
Please, note that this is not a problem of VMPlayer. It's a problem related to all VM software available.
Virtual machines is a fragile and vulnerable technology. They are good only for small tasks, to test a new software, to test your own software if you are a developer, etc.
But NEVER use it as your main system. NEVER keep important data saved on it for a long time.
DON'T TRUST IT! Unsless you want to end up with a large file in your HD full of important data but totally useless.
This is my warning so that none of you lose ALL you data as happened to me.
Thanks.