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Johan2004
Contributor
Contributor

Installing ESXi on ASUS P5E-VM HDMI

Hi Guys,

I'm a newbie trying to install ESXi - I read that my mobo is supported under ESXi but with the issue of the onboard NIC not working; I am unable to install getting the fatal error and cannot find place to install ESXi.

Basically, I'm guessing this means that it cannot see my hard drives - which are 2 x SATA and set up as RAID1 under BIOS.

Can someone help me out?

Specs:

ASUS P5E-VM HDMI

8 GIG RAM

INTEL QUAD Q9400

2 x SATA 500GB

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5 Replies
asatoran
Immortal
Immortal

That motherboard uses an ICH9 SATA controller. ESX & ESXi do not support software RAID that the ICH series uses. Take a look at vm-help. Others have reported that setting the controller to "legacy" mode often works, but you'll lose RAID.

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khughes
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

The motherboard is supported by ESXi on the HCL list (http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php) or non-hcl test unofficially supported? My best guess is that the RAID you're using on the motherboard isn't compatible with the ESXi (which ever raid controller it is). Try deleting the RAID and just using the drives as single drives and see if you can see the storage then.

  • Kyle

-- Kyle "RParker wrote: I guess I was wrong, everything CAN be virtualized "
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Johan2004
Contributor
Contributor

Cheers guys, let me give that a try and come back to you both!

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Johan2004
Contributor
Contributor

WOO HOO!!!! Removed RAID and now working like a dream!

Thank you both for all your help/advice!

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khughes
Virtuoso
Virtuoso

Like the previous poster listed, www.vm-help.com is a great place to find information on non-supported but working hardware. Good luck with your new ESXi box

  • Kyle

-- Kyle "RParker wrote: I guess I was wrong, everything CAN be virtualized "
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