This strikes me right away: > > cp --sparse=always /home/raymond/LV2/NLS-Storage/NLS-Storage-flat.vmdk > +/home/raymond/sdf/NLS-Storage/NLS-Storage-flat.vmdk > cp: error reading `/home/raymond/LV2/NLS-Storage/NLS-Storage-flat.vmdk': > +Input/output error > cp: failed to extend `/home/raymond/sdf/NLS-Storage/NLS-Storage-flat.vmdk': > +Input/output error "Error reading" should mean something. You can rule out any issue with the destination at this point. I'd check the /var/log/ files and dmesg for failures or errors related to the source. This was mentioned before.