VMware Communities: Disable the CPUID value ...

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 2, 2008 10:50 PM

in response to: edifyyo

Dave.Mishchenko 6,710 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

Take a look here for your option - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/Hardware_support.php.

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 3, 2008 6:07 AM

in response to: Dave.Mishchenko

edifyyo 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2007

Excellent link - thanks again, Dave! In my case, I have controllers using the Promise PDC20375 chip, which that list says is supported, so I'll play aorund a bit and see if I can figure out the problem.

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 3, 2008 6:27 AM

in response to: edifyyo

edifyyo 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2007

OK, the next step in the saga: I used the instructions at vm-help.net to access the tech-support console (ALT-F1) from the Installer and ran lspci. It shows my two SATA cards as "Unknown mass storage controller"s, but then correctly lists them as "Promise Technology, Inc. PDC20375 (SATA150 TX2plus)". The vendor ID and device ID of both are listed as "105a:3375".

Checking the list of supported hardware at vm-help.net shows that "105a:3375" should be natively supported. Any idea what might be wrong?

Also, there are no other "unknown" devices listed by lspci - these are the only two.

Thanks!

Nathan

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 4, 2008 7:04 PM

in response to: edifyyo

iXuPi 5 posts since
Aug 4, 2008

I have this same probelm on my Dell Precision 670. I put that string in on install and it worked great. However after ESXi gets installed when it reboots it comes up again. I do not have the option to hit tab and input that line again. So it works to get it installed but not beyond that. Any other ideas? I really don't want to have to purchase or build another machine.

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 4, 2008 8:26 PM

in response to: iXuPi

jsculb 1 posts since
Apr 9, 2008

If you were able to get the install to work with the nocheckCPUIDlimit, during the boot, hit shift o, and a screen will appear with advanced options at the bottom. Enter the nocheckCPUIDlimit and press enter, the system will boot to 3i. After boot, connect to the server using the VI client and modify advanced options, boot. There will be an option to force CPUID check. Uncheck that and apply and the server will boot without intervention.

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 4, 2008 10:24 PM

in response to: edifyyo

Dave.Mishchenko 6,710 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

Are you running the Promise card with a RAID array or JBODs. With ICH / MCP controllers that support RAID via a software driver, ESX doesn't seem to support that functionality. May be the same with the Promise card.

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 5, 2008 6:08 AM

in response to: Dave.Mishchenko

edifyyo 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2007

I'm running the Promise cards with a JBOD.

However, I THINK I might have figured out my problem, but I would appreciate your confirmation (or rejection): the Promise cards support both PATA and SATA (they each have one PATA and one SATA connector), and I am using PATA hard drives on them. Looking through the ESXi installation guide again, it appears that ESXi only supports SATA drives. Is this correct? Is there any way to force the detection and use of PATA drives?

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 5, 2008 5:02 PM

in response to: jsculb

iXuPi 5 posts since
Aug 4, 2008

Thanks so much for your help. You saved me time and money and I learned something new. Much appreciated!:)

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 27, 2008 3:27 AM

in response to: iXuPi

damin.assad 2 posts since
Aug 27, 2008

This topic has helped me a lot, thanks.
The only problem is that I now have to enter nocheckCPUIDLimit at every boot up.
I'm using a Dell PowerEdge, but don't have access to the limit CPUID value in the BIOS.

Is there any other way to boot VMware hypervisor without having to enter nocheckCPUIDLimit at startup?

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 27, 2008 3:42 AM

in response to: damin.assad

damin.assad 2 posts since
Aug 27, 2008

sorry, never read all the posts...
Jsculb's solution worked perfectly

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Aug 28, 2008 6:47 AM

in response to: damin.assad

bengbrewer 1 posts since
Aug 28, 2008

Im trying to install the latest version of Esxi on my PowerEdge sc420. Ive done the nocheckCPUIDlimit but about 3/4 of the way through loading the iso, it crashes and is showing crazy colors with changing pixels (its like it is a video driver problem) It happens in the exact same spot every time. Anyone know of anyway to get around it?

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Sep 24, 2008 1:58 PM

in response to: bengbrewer

jlandrith 12 posts since
Aug 21, 2006

I also have a Dell SC420.

Im using the thumbdrive to boot, the TAB trick does not work, do I need to try a CDROM bootabel?

I have an internal SATA drive, has anyone got that to work?

Last - (i know), I have a 2.8 Celron processor, should it work for testing?

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Sep 24, 2008 2:06 PM

in response to: jlandrith

jlandrith 12 posts since
Aug 21, 2006

Ill update my own question.

1.> While the thumbdrive did not work for the Tab option, the CDROM ISO did following above instructions. Do SC420 will install if add nocpuchecklimit...during initial boot up.

--Not sure yet about local SATA Drive..

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Sep 24, 2008 2:07 PM

in response to: jlandrith

Dave.Mishchenko 6,710 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

What model of SATA controller do you have?

Reply Re: Disable the CPUID value Sep 24, 2008 2:48 PM

in response to: Dave.Mishchenko

jlandrith 12 posts since
Aug 21, 2006

Ok just finished.

I have a SC420 built on MB controller (On MB), 146 Gi SATA Drive, and 1 Gig of Ram with Celron Processor.

ALL work just fine with bootable install of esxi on ISO (not thumb drive)

You have to follow this thread and disable the cpucheck, otherwise it works fine. Look and make sure you go into vi client and disable the CPU check there as well. DELL SC420 420 Server.

My Built in NIC worked as well.

Overall, very easy. I would add that I already have a vm running of XP on the system now, do this makes for a good basic test lab.

THANK YOU everyone who contributed. Now if I can find a low cost CPU upgrade and a bit more ram I am set. Might even see if I can get thumb drive to work someday..Ill post if I do.

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