Import a VMDK-flat

• Import the VMDK file to a datastore
• Create a VM with the OS and RAM characteristics needed - dont create/attach a disk
• Putty to an ESX host
• Find the datastore the VMDK was imported into and do an LS -LA to view the file size in bytes
• In the VM folder, run  vmkfstools -c 4294967296 -a lsilogic -d thin temp.vmdk
• The size, name, and controller type will vary
• Delete the new -FLAT.VMDK file
• Move the original -FLAT.VMDK file into this folder
• Add the newly created VMDK to the VM