So I downloaded the iso file from vmware.com, burned it onto a cd using ISO Image Recorder and booted from the cd on my computer. I followed all of the installation steps as described in the guide and everything looked just like in the installation guide. When the install was complete, I removed the CD & rebooted the computer. While the direct console was loading, everything seemed to be loading correctly except one message came up that said, "lvm driver failed to load with" (the rest was truncated). Then the regular direct console page loaded but this is what it says in the grey part at the top, "VMware ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 build-103909 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9300 @ 2.5 GHz 4 GB Memory", & in the yellow part at the bottom, "Download tools to manage this host from: http://0.0.0.0/ (STATIC)"
Then I hit F2 and set my root password, but when I went to Configure Management Network, it said, "Hostname: localhost IP Address: 0.0.0.0" When I hit Enter to edit the settings, the only option it gave me was "Restore Network Factory Settings" and to hit F11 (Yes) or Esc (No). When I hit F11, it took me back to the direct console, but nothing changed (even when I rebooted) I also tried Restart Management Network and Test Management Network and nothing changed.
It seems to me that the problem is in the lvm driver failing to load, but I don't know how to fix that. I have rebooted several times, taken the computer off the network and rebooted, put it on a different LAN and rebooted, etc. If I can't get it to connect and assign an IP address, I can't connect to the Server via VI CLient.
I do know that before I installed ESXi, I was able to network and connect to the internet so the problem is not in the network.
Can anyone help me? I need to get this set up and working as soon as possible. Our development is waiting on this.
I can give more information if needed.
Thanks
maybe will try this weekend