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jp500
Contributor
Contributor

Disable the CPUID value

I'm playing with VMware ESXi Update 2 on a Dell Precision 670 (not supported, I know). During the initial installation I received an error message that states I need to Disable the CPUID value or enable legacy OS support.

Many other workstations have this ability in the BIOS, but not the 670. I'm running the latest BIOS, version A07.

Does anyone know of another way to accomplish this? Any config files, install options, etc? Am I just out of luck?

Thanks,

Joe

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36 Replies
Dave_Mishchenko
Immortal
Immortal

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.

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edifyyo
Contributor
Contributor

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?

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iXuPi
Contributor
Contributor

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

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damin_assad
Contributor
Contributor

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?

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damin_assad
Contributor
Contributor

sorry, never read all the posts...

Jsculb's solution worked perfectly

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bengbrewer
Contributor
Contributor

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?

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jlandrith
Contributor
Contributor

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?

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jlandrith
Contributor
Contributor

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..

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Dave_Mishchenko
Immortal
Immortal

What model of SATA controller do you have?

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jlandrith
Contributor
Contributor

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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Dave_Mishchenko
Immortal
Immortal

If you go to Configuration \ Storage Adapters, what controller does ESXi list the system as having?

Also take a look at this thread about tweaking the memory config to get some extra memory for VMs - http://communities.vmware.com/message/1029161

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jlandrith
Contributor
Contributor

controllers on sc420 under esxi are:

vmhba32 8280 1fr/frw (ich6r/ich6rw) sata controller

same just with 33 and 34 after vmhba

vmhba1, same

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rpmahone
Contributor
Contributor

background:

trying to install ESXi 3.5.0 on a DELL SC 420, added the "nocheckcpuidlimit" at boot and that got me farther into the install. now i get this message:

Unable to find a supported device towrite the VMWAre ESX server 3i 3.5.0 image to

Dell SC 420 onboard controller, deleted all volumes on HDD...

has anyone seen this or know how to fix? thanks for all your time and effort!!

-rpm-

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rpmahone
Contributor
Contributor

i can get past the nocheckCPUIDLimit problem, but now it says no storage device available.. i have tried this using the onboard PATA controller and now a maxtor IDE/SATA I controller... any ideas?

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mcowger
Immortal
Immortal

IDE and PATA devices are not supported.






--Matt

--Matt VCDX #52 blog.cowger.us
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Dave_Mishchenko
Immortal
Immortal

See here for instructions on installing ESXi to IDE drives. It's not supported and it won't perform well, but for a test / home box it'll work fine assuming the IDE driver with ESXi will work with your MB.

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allamiro
Contributor
Contributor

I had the same problem with Dell GX520 and updating the bios will give you the ability to disable the the CPU ID limit check however after that I got a fatal error saying that

unable to find supported device to write the VMware ESX server 3i 3.5.0 image to

My device is Dell OPtiplex GX520

BIOS A11 last bios

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