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?
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.
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...
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.
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?
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.
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).
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...