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14 Replies Last post: Feb 17, 2009 1:04 PM by panikfan
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Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0

Sep 14, 2008 12:42 AM

Click to view hayez's profile Lurker hayez 5 posts since
Sep 14, 2008

Hi all,

I'm trying to install the free version of VMWare ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 but get the following error at the step when the files get copied over, it gets to about thirty something percent and gives this error-

VMware ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Installer

Installation Operation Failed!

The installation operation has encountered a fatal error:Unable to write image to the selected disk.This may be caused by bad sectors on the device or another hardware problem.

The following system information will assist the VMWare support team with your problem. Please record this information before proceeding.

System Information

Manufacturer: System Manufacturer

Model: System Product Name

Service Tag: System Serial Number

BIOS Rev: ASUS P5N-E SLI ACPI BIOS Revision 0801

Now I've changed the hard drive (all three were SATA and different manuafacturers) three times to be sure it's not a corrupt drive. I've googled around to notice that when other people are getting this error it lists their hardware but it looks as though it can't see mine. Does anyone have any suggestions on a work around to get past this as I really want to get up and running to start testing VMWare.

Any help appreciated?

Hayez.


Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Sep 14, 2008 1:23 AM
Click to view depping's profile Champion depping 2,992 posts since
Jan 17, 2005 VMware Moderator
Welcome to the forums, I moved your topic to the ESXi section!

Duncan
My virtualisation blog:
http://www.yellow-bricks.com

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Sep 16, 2008 2:41 PM
in response to: depping
Click to view hayez's profile Lurker hayez 5 posts since
Sep 14, 2008
Anyone have any suggestions?
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Sep 16, 2008 2:47 PM
in response to: hayez
Click to view Dave.Mishchenko's profile Guru Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator
Did you check the md5sum of the ISO image you downloaded? You might want to try booting from a USB key as an option as well - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/Boot%203i%20from%20USB%20flash%20drive.html.
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Sep 17, 2008 4:53 AM
in response to: Dave.Mishchenko
Click to view hayez's profile Lurker hayez 5 posts since
Sep 14, 2008
Yes, checked the MD5 thanks - it was 166917dd82e8f581555979aa5934f38b which is correct.I'd prefer not to install in on a USB key as I'm trying to build a lab machine with an old PC. Anyone else have any suggestions on the cause of this error?
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Sep 20, 2008 11:49 PM
in response to: hayez
Click to view hayez's profile Lurker hayez 5 posts since
Sep 14, 2008
Anyone have any suggestions?I've tried everything now from booting off an IDE drive and also booting off a SATA drive with the IDE disabled and still the same problem. My assumption is the drive controller but I've googled, asked questions here etc and no one seems to have any idea?
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Sep 28, 2008 6:46 AM
in response to: hayez
Click to view hayez's profile Lurker hayez 5 posts since
Sep 14, 2008

Bump!
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Sep 29, 2008 3:30 PM
in response to: hayez
Click to view DMBGO's profile Lurker DMBGO 4 posts since
Sep 26, 2008

I think it probably has to do with the SATA drive. I seem to recall the instructor at the training course saying something along these lines. Have you tried a SCSI, or PATA drive?

Cheers

Dave

Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Feb 16, 2009 2:12 PM
in response to: DMBGO
Click to view panikfan's profile Lurker panikfan 4 posts since
Jan 5, 2009

I'm having the same problem on a Dell PowerEdge 1750 with (2) SCSI disks, RAID1. Thing is, I got the install to work just fine on another 1750 with the exact same config about a week ago. Anyone come up with a solution to this?


Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Feb 16, 2009 2:15 PM
in response to: panikfan
Click to view Dave.Mishchenko's profile Guru Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator
Welcome to the VMware Community forums. What model of controller does the 1750 have and what's the PCI id for it? http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/find_PCI_ID.php
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Feb 16, 2009 2:23 PM
in response to: Dave.Mishchenko
Click to view panikfan's profile Lurker panikfan 4 posts since
Jan 5, 2009

Thanks for the quick reply.

1028 0013 0000 0000 storage megaraid2 PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller 4E/SI/DI

Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Feb 16, 2009 3:10 PM
in response to: panikfan
Click to view Dave.Mishchenko's profile Guru Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator
Are the running the latest firmware for the controller?
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Feb 16, 2009 3:12 PM
in response to: Dave.Mishchenko
Click to view panikfan's profile Lurker panikfan 4 posts since
Jan 5, 2009
probably not. I'll update the firmware and post the results...
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Feb 17, 2009 12:20 AM
Click to view R-Sommer's profile Enthusiast R-Sommer 91 posts since
Jul 21, 2008
How about installing ESXi on a usb stick? This is a fully functional workaround for your system.
Reply Re: Unable to write image to the selected disk ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Feb 17, 2009 1:04 PM
in response to: R-Sommer
Click to view panikfan's profile Lurker panikfan 4 posts since
Jan 5, 2009
Thanks for the tip, I'll probably play around with booting from USB later http://communities.vmware.com/images/emoticons/mischief.gif

I updated the firmware on the Raid controller and the install went through fine... thanks again guys.

**not sure how to assign points here... but the suggestion from Dave.Mishchenko fixed this issue for me**

Message was edited by: panikfan

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