ESX 3.0 Installation

[midiman_ny]

Just wanted to know if anyone came across this issue:

I'm trying to install ESX on Dell PowerEdge 2400 at home. When I finish booting from the ESX installation CD, I choose the language, keyboard and installation type (local cdrom). The next screen shows an error message: "CD Not Found: The VMware ESX Server 3 CD was not found in any of your CDROM drives. Please insert the VMware ESX Server 3 CD and press OK to retry.

I know ESX is very picky about the hardware, but since the setup program found it without a problem and loaded itself at boot up, why would it complain three steps later?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[IRQ2006]

Have you done the CD media test ? this option at the early stage of the installation wizard

[midiman_ny]

I didn't see that option. When I boot from the installation CD, I tried typing both '<Enter>' and 'esx text <Enter>'. After the setup loaded drivers, I choose the language, keyboard, and files location (Local CDROM). At this point it fails. I would definitely like to check if the data on CD is ok. How do I run media test in 3.0.0 setup?

Thanks.

[gchoka]

I've seen this happen too. I'd suggest doing an md5 check on your download and burning a new CD/DVD.

[midiman_ny]

I only have the CD that my co-worker gave me

I'll try to download it myself.

[aldin]

probably your iso image is corrupted, try to download .iso image again and do md5 checksum.

[opbz]

seen this with some other Dell servers.

On some servers the controller for the CD/DVD is not supported yet by ESX 3.02 but works with ESX 3.5

Had some cases where I ended up doing the install using a usb attached CD.

[IRQ2006]

Just for the purpose of testing your media use the graphical mode to start the installation as the text mode may not give you the test media option. once tested you can cancel and start the installation with Text mode.. hope that helps

[IT_Guy1]

Did you ever resolve this? I am having the same issue.

[azn2kew]

You can deploy ESX automated with other options via FTP, HTTP, Kickstart PXE, UDA and its pretty straight forward also V-Ployment has free automated deployment limited to 2 ESX which is awesome stuff. Give it a try.

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Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

iGeek Systems LLC.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant