Fail to install ESXi 5.1 and ESXi 5.5 on Gigabyte Brix (GB-BXi7-4770R (rev. 1.0) | M4HM87P-00)

[slimerghostbust]

Community,

I am just new in VMwave and creating a home LAB for WAN optimization (i.e. Riverbed | IPANEMA | Silver-Peak) using mini-PC from Gigabyte.

Trying to install ESXi 5.1 and ESXi 5.5 using USB and CD/DVD, able to boot but stuck at initialization stage in ACPI and Storage respectively.

Basically, had added the required driver using the recommended procedure in this blog -> http://www.bussink.ch/?p=1228 but having the

same issue. Can you please help to provide a tip on fixing this issue?

Hardware Specification:

GB-BXi7-4770R (rev. 1.0)

Gigabyte M4HM87P-00

CPU: 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7-4770R 3.90 GHz

Memory: 16GB

Harddisk: MSATA - 500GB | SATA - 2.5 1TB

Issues:

Installing from CD and USB:

If ESXi 5.1, it freeze at the “Initializing ACPI” stage.

Installing from CD and USB:

If ESXi 5.5, it freeze at the “Initializing storage” stage.

If ESXi 5.5 been customize adding net-r8168/69, still it freeze at the “Initializing storage” stage.

Thanks...Slimer

[rcporto]

Take a look at the following blog post and check the comments too: Installing VMware ESXi 5.5 on the Gigabyte Brix | Mind Circus

[slimerghostbust]

Hi Richard,

Had tried the recommended action but still same issue, it freezed at the “Initializing storage” stage (see exhibit 3).

Procedure:

1 - Download "vSphere PowerCLI - installer".

    URL -> https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=PCLI550&productId=352

2 - Install "vSphere PowerCLI - installer".

3 - Run "vSphere PowerCLI".

4 - Copy and paste the following CLI command into the vSphere PowerCLI (see exhibit 1 for the actual execution of the command).

Quote

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml

New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-standard" -name "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -Vendor "TwistedEthics.com"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-r8168"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-r8169"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-sky2"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-s2io"

Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -ExportToISO -filepath C:\Users\606816524\Downloads\ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix.iso

UnQuote

5 - Export the custom image to an ISO file using "UNetbootin" (see exhibit 4).

6 - Then proceed to install (i.e. insert the USB to BRIX and power cycle to load EXSi 5.5 to install). But it was freezed at the “Initializing storage” stage (see exhibit 3).

EXHIBIT 1:

###############################################################################

          Welcome to the VMware vSphere PowerCLI!

Log in to a vCenter Server or ESX host:              Connect-VIServer

To find out what commands are available, type:       Get-VICommand

To show searchable help for all PowerCLI commands:   Get-PowerCLIHelp

Once you've connected, display all virtual machines: Get-VM

If you need more help, visit the PowerCLI community: Get-PowerCLICommunity

       Copyright (C) 1998-2013 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved.

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI> Add-PSSn

apin VMware.ImageBuilder

Add-PSSnapin : Cannot add Windows PowerShell snap-in VMware.ImageBuilder becaus

e it is already added. Verify the name of the snap-in and try again.

At line:1 char:13

+ Add-PSSnapin <<<<  VMware.ImageBuilder

    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidArgument: (VMware.ImageBuilder:String) [A

   dd-PSSnapin], PSArgumentException

    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : AddPSSnapInRead,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.Ad

   dPSSnapinCommand

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI> Add-EsxS

oftwareDepot https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depo

t-index.xml

Depot Url

---------

https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI> New-EsxI

mageProfile -CloneProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-standard" -name "ESXi-5.5.0-133182

0-GigabyteBrix" -Vendor "TwistedEthics.com"

Name                           Vendor          Last Modified   Acceptance Level

----                           ------          -------------   ----------------

ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-Gigabyte... TwistedEthic... 19/09/2013 0... PartnerSupported

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI> Add-EsxS

oftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage

"net-r8168"

Name                           Vendor          Last Modified   Acceptance Level

----                           ------          -------------   ----------------

ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-Gigabyte... TwistedEthic... 23/07/2014 2... PartnerSupported

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI> Add-EsxS

oftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage

"net-r8169"

Name                           Vendor          Last Modified   Acceptance Level

----                           ------          -------------   ----------------

ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-Gigabyte... TwistedEthic... 23/07/2014 2... PartnerSupported

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI> Add-EsxS

oftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage

"net-sky2"

Name                           Vendor          Last Modified   Acceptance Level

----                           ------          -------------   ----------------

ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-Gigabyte... TwistedEthic... 23/07/2014 2... PartnerSupported

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI> Add-EsxS

oftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage

"net-s2io"

Name                           Vendor          Last Modified   Acceptance Level

----                           ------          -------------   ----------------

ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-Gigabyte... TwistedEthic... 23/07/2014 2... PartnerSupported

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI> Export-E

SXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -ExportToISO -fil

epath C:\Users\606816524\Downloads\ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix.iso

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI>

PowerCLI C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\Infrastructure\vSphere PowerCLI>

###############################################################################

EXHIBIT 2:

EXHIBIT 3:

EXHIBIT 4:

[slimerghostbust]

Hi Richard,

Just for rechecking the actual hardware, tried to install WIN7 Ultimate and it was loaded properly together with the drivers. Need to concentrate why ESXi 5.1 and 5.5 not working at all. FYI - raised a case with Gigabyte as well. Tried to re-installed ESXi 5.5 using USB and CD/DVD same problem and error seen the procedure stated in the earlier post reply.

Hi All,

Hope you can help as need badly this home LAB for my testing.

Thanks...Slim

[rcporto]

Have you checked if you're running the latest BIOS ? In some cases a BIOS upgrade can fix the problem, here is a example: Installation hangs at "Initializing storage stack..."

[slimerghostbust]

Hi Richard,

Gigabyte mentioned that they never supported VMware and only Windows 7 | 8 | 8.1. Never went through the BiOS upgrade due might not

work as well as Gigabyte never receive any driver from chipset vendor. Called the supplier they mentioned be able to replace the unit.

Thanks...Slim

[slimerghostbust]

Hi Richard,

Planning to swap the current Gigabyte Brix (GB-BXi7-4770R) with Intel NUC D54250WYKH.

VMware Homeserver &amp;#8211; ESXi on 4th Gen Intel NUC | Virten.net

Model: Intel NUC D54250WYKH

Thanks...Slim

[slimerghostbust · Accepted solution]

Hi Richard,

Good news! Managed to fix the issue and no need to replace my unit. Need to add my experienced in your recommendation.

Hardware Specification:

GB-BXi7-4770R (rev. 1.0)

Gigabyte M4HM87P-00

CPU: 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7-4770R 3.90 GHz

Memory: 16GB

Harddisk: MSATA - 500GB | SATA - 2.5 1TB

Procedure:

1 - Download "vSphere PowerCLI - installer".

    URL -> https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/details?downloadGroup=PCLI550&productId=352

2 - Install "vSphere PowerCLI - installer".

3 - Run "vSphere PowerCLI".

4 - Copy and paste the following CLI command into the vSphere PowerCLI (see exhibit 1 for the actual execution of the command).

Quote

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml

New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-standard" -name "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -Vendor "TwistedEthics.com"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-r8168"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-r8169"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-sky2"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-s2io"

Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix" -ExportToISO -filepath C:\Users\606816524\Downloads\ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix.iso

UnQuote

5 - Burn the customer ISO "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix.iso" to a CD/DVD writer.

6 - Disabled the CSM function under Boot MENU and ensure that CD/DVD is the 1st priority to boot.

7 - Insert the burn installer CD that have the "ESXi-5.5.0-1331820-GigabyteBrix.iso"

8 - Then follow the installation process until it is finish (Note: need to be very careful with the root password).

Local Console Access:

vSphere Client Access:

Thanks...Slim

[rcporto]

Congrats and thanks for share the experience.

[slimerghostbust]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the help here!

Cheers...Slim

[labguy2014]

Hello Slimer (Richard),

These are excellent guides,.

I have inherited at Gigabyte BRIX i7-4500U.

Apparently I need more drivers to get ESXi5.5 running.

The NIC is a Realtek PCIe GBE family of controllers. Microsoft has a driver from 2013 that works (version7.69.304.2013)

The mSATA ATA SSD  is not seen by ESXi 5.5.  The IDE ATA/ATAPI controller loads on ATA channel 3 (standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller) --> ATA driver version 6.6.7601.17514 Serial ATA Controller 6.1.7601.17514)

Could you guide me on adding these drivers to ESXi 5.5?  Are they in your repo already?

Steve

[Cluaran]

Hi labguy2014,

I was in a similar situation as you with my GB-BXi7H-4500. I've just managed to get mine working, though in a slightly convoluted way because I don't have a USB CDROM drive. Instead I created my .ISO image using a modified version of Slimer's PowerCLI script and used that on a USB stick to the 4500's mSATA card after installing it temporarily in my other Brix, a GB-XM1-3537. After moving the mSATA card back to the 4500, it boots, and so far, appears to be working fine! Here is the finer detail...

First the modified PowerCLI script to create the .ISO. This adds the sata-xhci VIB by Andreas Peetz of http://www.v-front.de to the .ISO. This VIB adds additional map files for the PCI IDs of various unsupported SATA AHCI controllers, including the 4500's Intel Lynx Point-LP SATA controller, to the standard SATA AHCI driver. More at VMware Front Experience: How to make your unsupported SATA AHCI Controller work with ESXi 5.5.

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot http://vibsdepot.v-front.de

New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20140704001-standard" -name "ESXi-5.5.0-20140704001-GigabyteBrix" -Vendor "Me" -AcceptanceLevel "CommunitySupported"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20140704001-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-r8168"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20140704001-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-r8169"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20140704001-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-sky2"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20140704001-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "net-s2io"

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20140704001-GigabyteBrix" -SoftwarePackage "sata-xahci"

Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile "ESXi-5.5.0-20140704001-GigabyteBrix" -ExportToISO -filepath C:\Users\Me\Downloads\ESXi-5.5.0-1892794-GigabyteBrix.iso

Once you have this ISO burnt to a CD, I believe you should be able to install using Slimer's method above, although you'll still have to add noIOMMU to the boot options, at least until you have SSH access. You can then add it to the default boot options using the command esxcli system settings kernel set --setting=noIOMMU -v TRUE

Good Luck!

Mike

[felliott2]

I've been trying to install ESXi 5.5 on the Gigabyte Brix GB-BXi5-4200. After numerous obstacles I have been able to boot a custom ISO image on my external DVD which was created as shown above by Cluaran (Aug 23, 2014).  I am now successfully able to boot ESXi, and get to the F2, F12 menus, etc but nothing installs to the hard drive -- it simply boots when I have the DVD attached.  I went to the console shell and I can see in DMESG that it looks like all hardware was initialized, but nothing installed.  Is there a way to manually force the installer to do its job from the console shell?

[slimerghostbust]

Hi Felliott2,

Please ensure that you have disabled the CSM function in the BIOS set-up and once change is completed, please check again in the BIOS

set-up if able to detect the hard disk. Likewise, you need to ensure that you've performed the procedure stated in adding the required driver

before proceeding to the ESXi5.5 installation.

Thanks...Slim

[felliott2]

Thanks for the feedback, I found the problem.  It turns out that the problem was when I was using shift+o to set boot options that the correct options need to be 'runweasel noIOMMU'.  When I did this the installer completed successfully.  After that, I had to go to console shell and modify boot.cfg to include kernelopt= noIOMMU for future reboots without manual intervention. 

[lifeinla]

HI Slim,

Thank you very much for sharing this information. I'm wondering is there any way to achieve this without CD? I mean can I just make a bootable USB. If it's possible, I don't think I should disable CSM on BIOS. Am I correct? struggling in Japan with only few information:(

[slimerghostbust]

Hi Lifeinla,

Apologies for the late reply. Tried to use the USB many times and not able to make it successful whereby managed to make it work when using CD instead of USB.

Hi  Community,

Do you have any inputs here?

Thanks...Slim

[lifeinla]

HI Slim,

thx for your response. I gave up and borrowed a CD drive from my friend to install it after tried to use the USB many times. Now I'm happy to have ESXi running on the little BRIX Pro:)