ESXI 5.5 upgrade freezes with "Initializing ACPI"

[mauser_]

Hello,

i have tested the upgrade of ESXI 5.5 in VMWare workstation with succes.

On HP i have a problem the upgrade stops at "initializing ACPI" (see screenshot).

Bios is update

What to do?

Thx

[admin]

Hi mauer,

This is was a known firmware issue with some HP-based ESXi/ESX servers.
See the HP advisory more details.. ACPI Errors Reported on the ESX Server | HP® Support

~dGeorgey

[mauser_]

Hi Georgey,

ok, this well known.

But howto fix my upgrade?

Thx

[admin]

I checked in VMware HCL here.. It seems your hardware is not supported for 5.5.

~dGeorgey

[mauser_]

problem solved by downgrading the bios to the latest previous version!

[abarclay]

My Intel DQ67SW was also hanging at this point. I found I had to disable the UEFI boot in the BIOS...

Of course, doing that makes it so that my esxi won't boot from my USB keyfob.

[YMtech]

Thanks mate.

Just for more details: BIOS version 2.21 is required for the HP 8200 Elite machine.

Regards,

Yuri

[sanassasin]

There is a workaround which I posted before on the Intel forums:

I've been looking at this for some time and basically was able to put together a workaround:

-Switch off UEFI boot and VT-d

-Install ESXi 5.5U2 to a USB stick (You might have to actually press F10 to boot - just choose the stick without UEFI prefixed)

-Download the latest patches from https://my.vmware.com/group/vmware/patch#search

-Save them to a datastore

-Use whatever patching method and install ESXi550-201410001

-Reboot to BIOS

-Turn on VT-d and reboot

-Again you might have to press F10 to pick the USB stick

This will allow 5.5U2 with VT-d passthrough to function correctly. I have not tested UEFI as yet but at least without it, there is still a chance to make this board work.

Of note: I used this with the Intel AMT KVM in action and not using any fancy keyboard or monitor (Never physically touched the box)

[starkindler89]

Got this same error on an HP Z820 while installing 5.5u3.  Got around it by booting the install CD through BIOS (not EFI) and then was able to install to my USB key just fine.  Hope that helps!