Installing ESXi - fatal error 6 (Buffer too small) - branched

[justinfield]

I too am having the same issue.  Verified MD5 of downloaded image.  Install media works on a different system.  System is currently running esxi 4.1 great, but esxi 5 won't install.  Any help is appreciated as this is frustrating.

My install quits at:

Error loading /s.00

Fatal error: 6 (Buffer too small)

Thanks.

[a_p_]

Welcome to the Community,

Install media works on a different system.

Since a different system may need different drivers (files) from the install media, the first step to troubleshoot is to burn another CD from the ISO image. If this does not work, please provide some details about the hardware on which you are trying to install ESXi.

André

PS: Branche from Installing ESXi - fatal error 6 (Buffer too small) to a new discussion to receive more attention

[justinfield]

Sorry for the delay in replying, I did try burning different media as well as different cd/dvd drives, same error. 

I'm trying to get my home lab system upgraded.  It is a whitebox that has been running 4.x wonderfully.  I'm hoping that it's not a supported hardware issue.  I wish I could find more info about what exactly this error message means.  Since I've seen articles with people having the same issue on supported hardware, I'm hoping my whitebox hardware isn't the problem.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks,

[justinfield]

Wanted to give an update in case it helps any others.  My motherboard has the Realtek 8111C/D onboard LAN adapter.  It has always been enabled in esxi 4 and I thought it was supported now in esxi 5 by other reviews but apparently not (or at least for me).  I disabled the onboard LAN in the bios and now it boots successfully. 

I hope it helps others.

Justin

[Yangshi]

Thanks justinfield, I encountered the same issue, and your information is valuable to me, thanks.

[justinfield]

I'm reposting on my original fix.  A year has gone by of the sytem running flawless, a reboot of the system to install version 5.1 and the install failed looking like corrupt installation media.  A few versions and burns later no fix.  Tried to boot back to version 5.0 and the errors about buffer to small came back up.  After searching and seeing my old post and verifying that the nic was still disabled in the bios and trying to disable other onboard components in bios I was puzzled.  I began to think about buffer and thought it could be memory related.  I began to take some memory out and shuffle around and voila!!!  I had one bad memory stick causing the issues.  I could boot back to original version 5.0.  I was able to install 5.1.  And best part is that I enabled the onboard realtek NIC and now it shows up as well.  Just need to redo my networking to test it and take advantage of a 2nd connection.

I new the vmware software was a rockstar and solid, just didn't think to check a memory stick at first.

I hope this helps some others from pulling their hair out.

J