I'm just working on the install now and I got the not able to find storage error, but this is actually related to the CD-Rom drivers. I clicked on back, switched to an HTTP install and it is progressing along. I'm still expecting a 'can't mount root " error after the install as I don't expect the specific ICH9 controller to be recognized by the vmkernel. But there is a work around for that that should do the job. The default PCI id files that ESX installs do recognize 4 models of ICH8 and ICH9 controllers. So if the DP35DP doesn't have one of those models, then i'll update the specific XML file and see if that works.

I was able to get 3.5 to install and run OK once I used the HTTP install. I was using a single SATA drive and it was recognized without any issues and the VMFS partition created during the install is working fine. In the BIOS I set the drive confige to IDE / Natvie. Just testing a 64 bit VM now and so far things are fine. I did add an Intel NIC as the onboard isn't recognized.

In this case it was the model 82572EI that I had around. I have
purchased some low end PRO /1000 to try
(http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=111105448&vpn=PWLA8391GTBLK&
manufacture=Intel). I haven't verified that they work, but they are
listed in the PCI ID xml file for Intel cards.

<device id="107c">
<vmware label="nic">
<driver>e1000</driver>
</vmware>
<name>82541PI Gigabit Ethernet Controller</name>
<table file="pcitable" module="ignore">
<desc>Intel Corporation|82541PI Gigabit Ethernet
Controller</desc>
</table>
<table file="pcitable.Linux" module="e1000">
<desc>Intel Corporation|82541PI Gigabit Ethernet
Controller</desc>
</table>
</device