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help/debuggingFailedBuilds.md

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+# Debugging Failed Packer Builds
+
+## Step 1: Run packer build `-on-error=ask`
+When you run the `packer build` command, give it the `-on-error=ask` flag.
+By default, `packer build` will delete the resource group as soon as the build fails.
+`-on-error=ask` will pause it and wait for your input so you have time to remote in to the VM and diagnose the failure.
+
+When the build fails, you will see this:
+
+![Ask on error screenshot](/help/resources/askOnError.png "Ask on error screenshot")
+
+## Step 2: Find the resource group name in the build log
+At the beginning of the build log (written to console), find the resource group name for the VM:
+
+![Resource group from log screenshot](/help/resources/resourceGroupName.png "Resource group from log screenshot")
+
+Log into the Azure Portal.  Find that resource group under `Resource groups`.  You should see the resources for the Packer build:
+
+![Packer resource group in Azure screenshot](/help/resources/packerResourceGroup.png "Packer resource group in Azure screenshot")
+
+## Step 3: Connect to the VM
+Select the VM in the resource group.  Click `Connect:`
+
+This will download an RDP file.  Open that and enter the credentials found in the JSON file you pass to `packer build`:
+
+![VM credentials screenshot](/help/resources/vmCredentials.png "VM credentials screenshot")
+