Before the install I didn't have to do the "TAB" option or shift + o. The install goes through fine and when it reboots the only error message is from the post screen telling me that there is no bootable drive. Doesn't even attempt to load past that.

Yeah there was an install of esx 3.5(Trial Version). Didn't see any option to completely remove or format the drives. Its using the onboard Sata controller. I believe its an ICH9 or maybe ICH7.

One thing that I had mentioned before is that I already had esx 3.5(demo) running on the machine. I tried to install esxi with a non supported RAID Controller (Adaptec SA1430). I think what happend is that I connected the drives in opposite of what they were connected prior to the raid card. I switched them around and ran the install one more time with my fingers crossed. It installed and booted up correctly. NOT SURE WHY. Before I had done that I tried to boot from an ubuntu 8.04 and format the drives and I did but that didnt work either. Hope this helps anyone else coming up with the same issues.