VMware Communities > VMTN > VMware Infrastructure™ > VI: ESXi 3.5 > Discussions
Up to Discussions in VI: ESXi 3.5

This Question is Possibly Answered

1 "correct" answer available (10 pts) 2 "helpful" answers available (6 pts)
2 Replies Last post: Dec 14, 2008 12:21 PM by stephorn
Reply

unable to find a supported device to write the vmware image to

Dec 14, 2008 7:23 AM

Click to view jploessl's profile Novice jploessl 21 posts since
Apr 26, 2006

I have a Dell Optiplex 745 2.4GHz Dual core, 8GB Ram and with sata drives 80GB & 300GB. but I get a error on installation stating it "unable to find a supported device to write the vmware image to"

I did try & put the controller into legacy mode, but still came up with the same error "unable to find a supported device to write the vmware image to"

I also ordered a new Intel Pro 1000 MT Dual Port Nic, I saw a number of comments that the builtin NIC wont work. I'm not sure about my Bios, which is version 2.6.1

Any other idea's, or will it not work with this PC,

Tags: installation, esx3i, sata
Reply Re: unable to find a supported device to write the vmware image to Dec 14, 2008 9:51 AM
Click to view weinstein5's profile Guru weinstein5 6,211 posts since
Nov 19, 2005 VMware

You might also need to replace the drive controller as well - check out http://vm-help.com/ has some good tips for getting non-supported hardware to work -

If you find this or any other answer useful please consider awarding points by marking the answer correct or helpful

Reply Re: unable to find a supported device to write the vmware image to Dec 14, 2008 12:21 PM
Click to view stephorn's profile Novice stephorn 8 posts since
Feb 4, 2005

I have setup both ESX and ESXi on Dell 745 and 755 machines. You are correct that you have to change the controller setup to "Legacy" mode.

What you can try is to only install a single drive during the setup of ESXi. Just unplug the larger drive prior to the installation and see if that helps.

The problem may be that the BIOS cannot handle the Legacy setting for both drives on installation. I have done numerous installations with single drives up to 500GB with no problems. I have not tried with multiple drives thou?

The second drive you can plugin and enable/format inside the VIC after you have ESXi setup.

Maybe this will work for you?

Checkout my blog posting on how I have my Dell 755 SFF machines setup in our test environment.
http://drewsrambling.blogspot.com/2008/09/esx-on-dell-optiplex-755.html

Hope this helps,

A. Bradley
abradley@reawire.com

Actions
Up to Discussions in VI: ESXi 3.5