Installing Server 2008 with HP OEM Media - "This system is not supported platform"

[sectorz]

I'm trying to install Server 2008 Standard on my ProLiant DL160 running ESXi 3.5.

I've been using ESXi for awhile now and have purchased HP servers with Windows Server media before but this is the first time purchasing Server 2008. When I try installing, once the initial file copy is completed and the server reboots I get an error saying:

This system is not supported platform

HP Support was useless on this issue; I'm pretty sure the installation is trying to see the bios to make sure it's running on a ProLiant server before installing but ESXi doesn't pass that data to it and the installation fails.

Any suggestions? I'd rather not try and deal with an RMA process with Server 2008 and then have to buy the retail version.

Thanks!

[CHCadmin]

SMBIOS.reflectHost = True  worked for me on ESXi 6 for Server 2012 HP OEM (Host is a qualifying OEM product).

Edited VM properties, on the Options Tab look under Advanced, I selected the General option and Configuration Parameters. Added a new row and placed "SMBIOS.reflectHost" in the name field and "true" in the Value field.

[prdeepkumawat]

I tried adding SMBIOS.reflectHost = “TRUE”  in vmx file but it didn't help me. Then I simply edit VM Settings, gone to options tab - Advance - General - Configuration parameter. There I added SMBIOS.reflectHost line and made it TRUE. It worked for me like a charm.