Can't install ESXi on HPDL380 G6 - Stops at vmkibft loaded successfully

[DannyBurchett]

Hi,

Hope someone can assist on this, I've got an HP DL380 G6 that I'm trying to get ESXi6 installed on, it starts okay then stops at the vmkibft loaded successfully screen. I've so far tried the following, none of which has made any difference! You can still swap around between the screens, however the install is just stopped!

Remove the FC cards as they are no longer needed (not SAN connected).

Remove the extra 4 port Ethernet card.

Use the HP Specific ESXi image.

Tried ESXi 5.5 HP Image, same error.

Update server to latest firmware from HP Site.

Tried with ethernet connected to on board ports, also disconnected.

Left it over the weekend to ensure it's not "Slow booting".

The install screen is as below

Any advice would be very gratefully received!

Danny

[douglasarcidino]

Only thing I can say for 100% certain is that I have 5.5 and 6.x loaded on G5 and G6 DL360s and DL380s without issue. The G6 is only supported for up to 5.5 on the HCL VMware Compatibility Guide: System Search .

Can you go in and reset the BIOS to factory and re-enable all of the virtualization items and performance options. You could also try tossing a USB drive inside of there to install to. I do have this 100% functional though with no issues.

[dabson]

As douglasarcidino mentioned, ESX 5.5 and 6 should work on your DL380 G6 with varying levels of support. As you've mentioned you are using the HP image, tried 5.5, and updated the firmware, all of which I would have tried too.

There's always a chance that it's hardware related. Try running HP Insight Diagnostics or even MemTest86+ to see if there are any issues. The recommendation to try booting from USB would isolate any potential HDD issues as well.

[uvgreg]

Hi,

I have same troubles on my DL360g7. After some voodoo dance, problem takes a solution by resetting boot volume value in HP SA storage controller configuration menu:

Enter SA configuration during server boot (press F8 when SA controller initialization finished)

in main menu select "select boot volume" option. Then press F7 for clearing boot LUN.

Save changes, and try to install EXSi again.

Hope it will make you a bit of happy

--

Grig

[RAJ_RAJ]

Hi ,

Please try to use ESXi HPE custom image

Also you may try to install on a USB device and check .

[sgunelius]

I saw a post on spiceworks with a similar issue and they stated the resolution was upgrading the array controller and drive firmware.  What class of array controller are you using (P410i), what type of drives and which firmware revisions?  Are you upgrading the firmware using the SPP?

[blew888]

Hello,

i had the same issue with my DL980 G7, at first the log said vNIC error, then I did some other research on the web, changing the RAID configuration fixed this problem.  I had it set to RAID 50, after changing it to RAID 10, it completely loaded.  I also have the same problem with the DL380 G7, hope this fixes the issue as well.

The ESXI HPE 6.0 image worked fine, but I also tried installing 6.5 and 6.7, both red screened.  My next plan is try to upgrade, otherwise, I will need to build a custom ESXi the drivers for 6.5 or 6.7. 

Brad

[dabson]

According to HPE the DL980 G7 does not support vSphere 6.5 or 6.7. The last supported version of vSphere is 6.0 U3. You're likely going to encounter driver compatibility issues, especially considering HPE is not likely going to provide updated firmware where there are new driver dependencies.

If you do opt to try to incorporate some sort of custom or adapted drivers into a 6.5/6.7 build, that could be interesting from an academic/lab standpoint. I wouldn't recommend it for production workloads though. Good luck!

[daphnissov]

I also have the same problem with the DL380 G7, hope this fixes the issue as well.

The G7 series is not officially supported past ESXi 6.0, FYI.