VMware Communities: Message List - Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

Re: Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

andrewallen — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:16:22 GMT

Odd and annoying - went back through all version available and ended back up at 1.1.8 - any newer versions than this don't work.

Also, don't leave your usb key in when booting up successfully - ESX throws a wobbly and gives a pink screen of death...

Re: Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

andrewallen — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:54:56 GMT

It's related to the Bios version - I had it working fine on 1.1.8, but I thought I'd update to the latest 2.1.8, at which point it broke just like you... currently investigating rolling back the bios version (if possible).

Re: Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

NetworkPIMP — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:36:17 GMT

Well, interestingly enough... I have 2 optiplex 740's, and 2 optiplex 740 "enhanced" (from a more recent order) - ESXi will install and run fine on the "enhanced" ones, but not on the "regular ones" - so it must be some problem with a component.

Re: Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

Peter_vm — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:33:57 GMT

How relevant is success with Optiplex 755 to the problems with Optiplex 740?
Could it be that despite both being Dell, they are actually distinct hardware designs?

Re: Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

nick.couchman — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:48:46 GMT

Works for me on the Optiplex 755, which is the Core2 processor. I didn't run the install, though - just booted from a usb stick.

Re: Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

NetworkPIMP — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:20:48 GMT

System has an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ CPU.

Also, I tried running ESXi from USB stick and I get the same thing at the "Loading VMware Hypervisor" screen: progress bar gets a few ticks, then junk characters, then a boot: prompt.

I'm running the latest BIOS (2.1.8) as well...

Re: Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

Dave.Mishchenko — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:26:11 GMT

What sort of CPU do you have in the host? You might want to PM the guy that tested it and see if your hardware is similar. It may be a component that is causing the problem. Also take a look at this thread - http://communities.vmware.com/thread/163274?tstart=0 to see if the error is similar.

Install on a Dell Optiplex 740 for testing/evaluation

NetworkPIMP — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:55:24 GMT

I'm trying to install ESXi on a Dell Optiplex 740... when I boot from the CD (the latest U2 release with the license patch included), I get the initial boot screen with the progress bar... then it ticks 2-3 times, then prints a bunch of junk and dumps me back to the boot menu.

Any ideas??

This page says the 740 works - but not for me? I'm missing something, right?