VMware Communities: Message List - will this run esx 3.5?

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

psubill78 — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:09:14 GMT

Apologies for resurecting this thread, but has anyone tested with the Intel PWLA8391GT PRO/1000 GT PCI Network Adapter.

I'm looking to get this running on an Optiplex 755 (as everyone else here lol). I see it's on the approved hardware list, so I should be good.

Also, to let everyone know there is an updated BIOS for the 755, A13.

Thx

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Martin.Adamsson — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:39:27 GMT

Hi Bucks,

Sorry about this delay

I am using WINSCP from http://winscp.net/eng/index.php I am not sure but I think that ESX update 3 do have som tools for file operations. I think that its time for update to version 3 of my systems

best regards,

Martin Adamsson

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

polly.poon — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:51:13 GMT

Like others said, the on board NIC didn't work. I then tried a Realtek, D-Link, Netgear NIC. None work. I finally went to get an Intel Pro 1000 GT desktop adaptor and ESXi finally picked up the IP

I have followed vihila's instructions and was able to install ESXi 3.5 U2 to a DELL Optiplex 755. Thanks!

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

devinvm — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:18:34 GMT

HI Everyone, I have followed the steps below and have a problem.

I am installing esx 3.0 on Optiplex 755.

All is working well in legacy mode during setup. After the install i set SATA operation to Raid/ATA to create datastore.

I reboot and recieve the following error"

"BusyBox v.0.60.5 (2005.11.01-17+0000) Built-in shell (ash)

Enter 'help' for list of built in commands.

sh: can't acccess tty; job control turned off

hub.c: new USB device 00:1a.0-1, assigned address 2

input0: USB HID v1.11 MOuse 0461:4d15 on usb1:2:0

hub.c" new usb device 00:1a.0-2, assinged address 3

input: USB HID v1.10 Keyboard Dell Dell USB keyboard on usb1:3.0"

If I hit ther enter key i get he command promopt. #

**if i change the SATA operation mode back to legacy and reboot , esx boots up fine without any errors.

I do know what could be the cause.

Hope someone can share how to fix this issue.

Thank you

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

demastra — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:41:35 GMT

Hello,

Does any one know if my "Dell Optiplex 745" supports ESX 3.5 or ESXi ?

Dell Optiplex 745

CORE2 Duo 6300

Thank you !

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

bucks133 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:10:32 GMT

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the notes.

I dont thin I am bother with ESX now as I am running ESXi happily. Do you know a way I can backup those VM images that I have created using ESXi?

Thanks,

Bucks133

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Martin.Adamsson — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:26:54 GMT

Hi,

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi35_io_guide.pdf and check for networks card, the integrated one in optiplex 755 is not working. I did install INTEL PRO/1000 MT Dual Port Server Adapter and the system works fine. I did posted this before, dint forget to upgrade DELL BIOS before ESX installation. Check other forums for bios settings.

Good Luck, ***

Martin Adamsson

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Martin.Adamsson — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:19:27 GMT

Hi,

I just followed "how to get esx 3.5 running on a 755 OptiPlex" and i got ESX to work. There is one more important thing to do, upgrade BIOS! I did not manage to install ESX 3.5 with BIOS ver A04, so I used latest bios from DELL (A10 20/06/2008). Good luck!

Martin Adamsson

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

bucks133 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:36:53 GMT

Hi TheKingNL, no, I didnt use RAID1 as it didnt work. Have to disable it and use the guideline from Vihila, I got it installed.
Thanks,
Bucks133

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

TheKingNL — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:29:24 GMT

bucks133, have you used RAID1 on this OptiPlex 755 with ESX 3.5? I thought this would not work as the RAID "controller" is not supported by ESX.

Thanks!

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

vihila — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:28:37 GMT

If you register with VMWare, you should be able to get a free license key. Once you enter in the license, the 60 day trial should go away.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

bucks133 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:25:11 GMT

With your steps I managed to get that installed now. BIG Thanks.
Why is it still saying that you have to register it after 60 days? I have ESX 3i 3.5.0 build 110271 installed.
Off to bed now. Speak tomorrow.
Good night!

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

vihila — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:11:13 GMT

I think the only way to make absolutely sure is to do this:

Boot and hit F2 to go into BIOS
Set SATA to "RAID On" mode
Save and Reboot
Hit the "Ctrl-I" keys when prompted to go into the RAID configuration (Intel Matrix Storage Manager)
Use either the "Delete RAID Volume" or "Reset Disks to Non-RAID" to make sure that both drives are non-RAID
Reboot and hit F2 to go into BIOS
Set SATA to RAID Autodetect / ATA
Reboot and install ESXi

If it still doesn't work, you may be out of luck

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

bucks133 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:56:58 GMT

Hello, I have just found the way to disable it now. However, it is still fail on the same reason. Thanks for your help. I will have to use ESX trial.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

bucks133 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:47:06 GMT

Hello, I dont seem to find the option to break the RAID array on the BIOS. Is that something I have to do it on the hardware? I did try to use only one HDD (and set it to Autodetect/ATA) but it still failed.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

vihila — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:06:03 GMT

Yes, it is because you are using RAID 1. Onboard RAID will not work on ESXi. If you break the RAID array, and set it to "RAID Autodetect / ATA", it will work, but you will have two (non-redundant) disks instead of the mirror. This is not good for production use, but it is good for testing.

Hope this helps

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

bucks133 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:56:04 GMT

Hi Vihila,

No, I have tried all the options on SATA Operation but still getting the same result - it say it is unable to find a supported device to write the VMware ESXi image on. Is this because I have RAID1 ?

I suppose I can only try to reimage ESX every 60days then

Cheers,

Bucks133

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

vihila — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:03:23 GMT

As I mentioned above, I was able to get ESXi working using RAID Autodetect / ATA mode on the Optiplex 755 with a new NIC. You probably were not using the right SATA mode.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

bucks133 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:48:25 GMT

Hello,

Thanks for your instruction Vihila.
The ESX 3.5 installation went very well!!

I thought to give ESXi a go after the success but it failed to meet the requirement and would not allow me to continue with the installation.
This is really for user who like to use the technology and cannot afford to fork out the cash to buy the full version.

Is there anyone out there manage to get ESXi installed on Dell Optiplex 755 with the specs we have got on this thread?

Thanks again.

Cheers,
Bucks133

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

vihila — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:03:39 GMT

I can verify that ESX 3i 3.5 Update 2 Build 110271 will run on an Optiplex 755 with a new NIC. I used an Intel PRO Server NIC. Everything was the same as TheKingNL mentioned, except that I started with SATA operation in RAID Auto / ATA mode. I could NOT get it to install in "Legacy" mode. Also, the onboard RAID will not work with ESXi. Therefore, my process was as follows:

Install a supported NIC
Go into the BIOS and change SATA Operation to "RAID Autodetect / ATA"
Enable Virtualization and VT for Direct I/O
Disable the onboard NIC
Reboot with ESX 3i 3.5 Update 2 CD and install image
Eject CD and restart when prompted
From the console, press F2 and set the root password
Log in to the web interface, download and install VI client
Use VI Client to create datastores

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

bucks133 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:43:12 GMT

Hi TheKingNL,

I have just ordered my machine for the ESXi. I wonder if this is the spec you have. Please advice if the HDD setup shll be changed as I might be able to get Dell the change it.

The specs is:

Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo Processor E6550 (2.33GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)80PLUS, ASF 2.0 system mngt
8.0GB 800Mhz NON-ECC DDRII Memory (4*2GB)
250GB (7,200 rpm) SATA2 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Hope you will be able to help.

Thanks,

133

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

d1c1ple — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:28:08 GMT

Thanks for the tip. Legacy SATA mode gets by and lets the install continue. I could not create a vmkcore or VMFS locally. Will give a shot post install after putting sata mode back to the default configuration.

Setting up a lab; this got me installed; however 3.5U2 did not find the integrated Intel 82566DM-2 NIC??? Any ideas? I'll check the IO guide but would think most Intel GigE nics would be supported.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

TonyJZX — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:59:30 GMT

have a 755dt which ran citrix xen fine but for some reason vmware thinks the Intel 1000 isn't a popular enough NIC

can't install until i find a slimline nic

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

TheKingNL — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:09:26 GMT

Hi guys,

I got it running on a 755 OptiPlex.

Pre-install:

Go into the Bios and change the SATA operation to "Legacy"
Enable Virtualization and VT for Direct I/O
Disable NIC, the NIC on the mobo will not work
Install a supported NIC. I installed an old HP 10/100 card for now. You can also buy a cheap, HP NC110T gbit card.

Reboot and insert the ESX CD. I used ESX 3.5 Update 1 (82663)

Install ESX and check if it loads and if you can open the website. Install the VI 2.5 and you will notice that you cannot create a datastore for the VM's.

Reboot the 755 and go into the Bios. Change the SATA operation to RAID Auto / ATA

Save changes, connect with VI to the ESX and you can now create a datastore. Create a datastore on the free disk space on the SATA disk. You can now create VM's!

I'm using a 755 DT with 8GB and a E6550 CPU. Again, you need another NIC as the other NIC is not supported by ESX.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

nprior — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:06:04 GMT

Try using USB bootable for ESXi 3.5 U1 if just for testing... just downloaded ESX regular today to see if it would run on the 755, no go, so resorted to stick boot, booted fine apart from issue with network driver, by then it was time for beer, so next week will try a different NIC and see if it picks up the sata drive:

Stick Boot: http://gklooste.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!1E62D345464EF998!450.entry

If you already got it running let me know

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

tdubb123 — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:12:34 GMT

I really cannot seem to run esx 3.5 update 1 on this optiplex 755. First of all it does not see the cdrom drivers. So I tried NFS install and it does not see the sata controller.

Then I purchased the promise tx300 controller and it still did not see it. any idea if this optiplex model is supported?

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Dave.Mishchenko — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:28:52 GMT

It would be worth checking anyways and especially to get the PCI and vender ID for the controller. With that it is possible to check the PCI database files from ESX to see if it will recognize the controller. If you haven't already done so I would suggest downloading ESX 3.5 Update 1 and trying with that.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

tdubb123 — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:33:51 GMT

As mentioned you'll want to confirm which SATA controller and NIC model this PC has. This link states that it should have the Intel Q35 chipset http://www.upenn.edu/computing/provider/docs/hardware/optiplex755.html and if that's correct you should have the ICH9 controller (http://download.intel.com/products/chipsets/Q35_Q33/317312.pdf). It'll also have an Intel 10/100/1000 NIC, but you may still have to add a NIC to the system - I use Intel Pro 1000/GT which are fairly cheap to get.

Other systems that have been testing with 3.5/3i - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3.5/Whiteboxes_SATA_Controllers_for_ESX_3.5_3i.htm.

I think you said it has the Q35 chipset

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Dave.Mishchenko — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:58:47 GMT

Do you know the specific model of SATA controller that this PC has?

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

tdubb123 — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:07:53 GMT

it froze up on the console. alt-f1

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Dave.Mishchenko — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:04:09 GMT

If you still have 3i running could you open a console session and run lspci. That'll tell you the model of SATA controller that you have and should tell you if you have a chance with ESX 3.5.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

tdubb123 — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:01:32 GMT

for 3i, it doesnt even see the sata controller. I added a intel 10/100 nic on it and was able to get 3i to boot and i could vc in. But cannot create or see any datastores

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Dave.Mishchenko — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:37:26 GMT

Does 3i see a storage controller? With 3.5 there seems to be an issue with the installer not being able to use some CD-ROMs. I have the problem on a couple of whiteboxes and in those cases I have copied the install CD to a web server and I then choose to run the rest of the install from there. You could also use FTP as the source for the install.

This is the closest I've seen to an explanation of the problem.

CD_ROM - No drivers found http://communities.vmware.com/message/875606

I happen to be having the same problem. I think the user having the issue may have left out a very critical detail. the error message occurs just after the screen "Installation Method” where you answer the question "what type of media contains the packages to be installed" Options are "Local CD-ROM, Hard Drive, NFS, FTP, HTTP" When you select "Local CD-ROM" it says "No Drivers Found" however if you continue to read it says " Unable to find any devices for this installation type". ive done some research on Linux distros and there’s tons of people having the issue and all seem to b able to resolve it by specifying something like "linux all-generic-ide irqpoll pci=nommconf " something or other... it basically makes the installer use a generic IDE mode for the CD-ROM, this only happens when the CD-rom is a "SATA" cd rom... dunno why or how... im going to keep looking till I figure it out.. Or maybe I’ll just do the FTP thing... That’s not a bad idea... just wish I could ensure it actually see's the drives before I go through all that trouble.

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

tdubb123 — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:27:46 GMT

for 3i, it does see the onboard nic. and for 3.5, it says it cannot find driver and prompts me to install driver from disk or make a selection from the storage controllers

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Dave.Mishchenko — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:13:58 GMT

Is it stopping at a certain point? Have you tried with ESX 3i?

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

tdubb123 — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:48:47 GMT

just tried to boot from 3.5cd to install but will not work. any idea?

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

azn2kew — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:53:05 GMT

There are two solutions you can use for ESX testing. First, instructions from Xtravirt.com using VMware Workstation 6.0 under Windows XP machine and it only work with ESX 3.0.2 at this point. If you want to test ESX 3.5 in bare metal than you should load ESX 3.5 Update 1 CD in to see if it works or not that will quickly tells u the answer. You can consult on Compatibility guide but will likely not workable because the guide is towards server class type. You can check out David Mishchenko's website or search on here for "ESX sandbox" that should lead you to the link.

I would load the ESX 3.5 CD and know in 10 minutes instead of asking unless you can't format your system. SATA drives are support and its good if you use OpenFiler and FreeNAS as iSCSI SAN as well.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen
iGeek Systems Inc.
VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

Dave.Mishchenko — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:38:57 GMT

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

azn2kew — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:58:08 GMT

What's your disk controller and NIC model? That's the two components need to be compatible or work with ESX 3.x the rest is fine since you have dual core + VT support and 2GB is kinda small but okay for testing.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen
iGeek Systems Inc.
VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

Re: will this run esx 3.5?

jayolsen — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:46:15 GMT

I'd check here starting on page 21. http://vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3/r35/vi3_35_25_installation_guide.pdf

Don't forget your network card(s). Not sure if the disk you have will support running VMs or not, someone will probably answer that part.

will this run esx 3.5?

tdubb123 — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:35:04 GMT

OptiPlex 755
(System Identifier: EW7PRY9M)
OptiPlex 755 Mini-Tower: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6550 (2.33GHz, 4M, VT, 1333MHz FSB) Genuine Windows XP Home
System Price	:	$349.00

|-----

|*Operating System*

OptiPlex 755
(System Identifier: EW7PRY9M)
OptiPlex 755 Mini-Tower: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6550 (2.33GHz, 4M, VT, 1333MHz FSB) Genuine Windows XP Home
System Price	:	$349.00

Genuine Windows XP Home

Memory
2 GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs)

Floppy Drive
1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive

Hard Disk Drive
80 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)

Media Bay
48X Max Variable CD ROM Drive

Certified Refurbished
Certified Refurbished

Base
OptiPlex 755 Mini-Tower: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6550 (2.33GHz, 4M, VT, 1333MHz FSB)

Hardware Upgrade
No Internal Speaker
USB Keyboard
USB 2 Button Mouse

Software Upgrade
Dell Energy Smart Enable
ASF Basic Hardware Enabled Systems Management|