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9 Replies Last post: Dec 31, 2008 11:13 AM by Theorist80
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Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755?

Dec 30, 2008 4:46 PM

Click to view Theorist80's profile Novice Theorist80 12 posts since
Dec 30, 2008

Hello everyone. I am seeking some information concerning the installation process of ESXi on my Dell Optiplex 755. This is a list of items I have already tried:

1. Switch RAID/AHCI to Legacy

2. Switch RAID/AHCI to RAID/ATA

3. Entered RAID config and deleted RAID array - set BIOS to Legacy

4. Entered RAID config and deleted RAID array - set BIOS to RAID/ATA

1230081634 copy.jpg

I get to the point where i hit F11 to agree to the licensing and I get the following error:

My Dell Optiplex 755 has 2 150GB SATA hard drives that WERE setup in a RAID 1 config but now there is no RAID at all. Is there something I am missing from the install that would cause this error? Any and all help is appreciated!

Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 30, 2008 5:37 PM
Click to view nick.couchman's profile Champion nick.couchman 4,969 posts since
Jan 13, 2006
You can't be in legacy mode, but you also can't be in RAID mode. Legacy mode presents the SATA drives as IDE drives. The "RAID controller" on the 755 is a "fake RAID" controller which means that it requires a driver to function properly. So, the on-board controller needs to be in "Native" or "Enhanced" or "ATA" mode, not legacy and not RAID. It may work in RAID mode if you configure the RAID to just be a JBOD (not RAID0, not RAID1).
Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 30, 2008 10:46 PM
Click to view Dave.Mishchenko's profile Guru Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator
Welcome to the VMware Community forums. Also take a look at the IDE install instructions here.
Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 31, 2008 8:55 AM
Click to view Theorist80's profile Novice Theorist80 12 posts since
Dec 30, 2008
well i appreciate the information everyone. I have 2 problems with the suggestions listed.

1. I have already tried all of the options for the "RAID" controller as well and removing the RAID array completely and formatting the hard drives back to blank and it changed nothing.


2. I appreciate the link you provided me for IDE installs but i have SATA drives and no matter what setup i use in the BIOS I cant get ESXi to recognize any of my drives.

any other ideas????

Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 31, 2008 9:25 AM
in response to: Theorist80
Click to view Dave.Mishchenko's profile Guru Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator
When you run lspci (you can use the -v and -p switches to get more information) what PCI id do you get for the storage controller?
Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 31, 2008 9:44 AM
Click to view Theorist80's profile Novice Theorist80 12 posts since
Dec 30, 2008

2 Port SATA IDE Controller - 8086:2926

4 Port SATA IDE Controller - 8086:2920

Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 31, 2008 9:59 AM
Click to view Theorist80's profile Novice Theorist80 12 posts since
Dec 30, 2008

i GOT IT WORKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I moved one of my hard drives from the on board RAID port to a standard SATA port and switched my BIOS from Legacy over to RAID Autodetect/ATA and it found both of my drives!

WOO HOO! Thanks for all the help guys!

Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 31, 2008 10:39 AM
Click to view Theorist80's profile Novice Theorist80 12 posts since
Dec 30, 2008
curious...how do i go about installing new drivers for my NIC? My version of the NIC is Intel 82566DM-2 and its not in the support list?
Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 31, 2008 10:50 AM
in response to: Theorist80
Click to view nick.couchman's profile Champion nick.couchman 4,969 posts since
Jan 13, 2006
I believe the vm-help.com site has instructions for modifying the PCI id map files that map PCI devices to certain drivers - you may try doing that to see if that helps.
Reply Re: Error with ESXi on Dell Optiplex 755? Dec 31, 2008 11:13 AM
Click to view Theorist80's profile Novice Theorist80 12 posts since
Dec 30, 2008
appreicate it...i found another NIC laying around that was on the list so i just installed and used that
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