kernel panic: fatal exception during ESX 3.5 install

[lifeonmars]

Hi guys!

I am trying to install ESX 3.5 on a very new machine, its a laptop so changing hardware will be difficult. but as soon as i select the graphical option for the install, it stops with the last line stating 'kernel panic: fatal exception'.

can any one sehd some light on what this means, how to work around or resolve this?

i am trying teach myself ESX as my company has pulled its training budget.

Thanks in advance!

[koham]

hi,

It would help to know more details about the hardware and the model no. and the configuration. Also whether you are using any patches for ESXX??

With regards ,

nilesh

[lifeonmars]

Thanks you for your email and prompt response nilesh

Its actually a Dell laptop, Precision M6400 Dual Core 2 Extreme with 4GB RAM. I have attached the hardware map from the Windows Device Manager to show you all or most of the hardware, hope that helps.

The HDD is currently set to SATA, I have set it to RAID and that didnt make any difference.

Thanks

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Currently you can not install ESX on any laptop. You will need to install ESX within VMware Workstation running within the laptop. There are many blogs on this, I use the blog http://www.ntpro.nl/blog/archives/470-ESX-3.5-is-running-on-Workstation-6.5-Build-91182-!!!.html for assistance.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs: http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Blog_Roll

Top Virtualization Security Links: http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Top_Virtualization_Security_Links

[lifeonmars]

but why is this? surely common computer hardware NICs for example all opperate in the same way essesntially, expect for those that can be teamed for example so why wouldnt a card that has ben used in the past on machine be recognised in a laptop form is it because its a mini version of the bigger type?

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Basically because VMware only supports a small subset of all chipsets and controllers. If your IO hardware is on teh HCL, then it may work, but if it is not then it will definitely not work. Motherboard chipsets also make a huge difference. In desktops very few of those chipsets work with ESX.

It was a conscious choice by VMware to support less hardware but make the hypervisor robust. Laptop mobo's and chipsets are not on teh HCL as they are NOT cut down versions of desktop systems but whole new beasts.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs: http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Blog_Roll

Top Virtualization Security Links: http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Top_Virtualization_Security_Links

[lifeonmars]

i see. i have checked the HCL and decided to use this laptop because the main hardware is covered in the HCL, but like you said maybe its covered but not in laptop form.

i thank you for the advise.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

By main hardware you mean the IO devices? Most likely then its the motherboard itself that has issues, laptop chipsets are often quite a bit different than larger systems.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs: http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Blog_Roll

Top Virtualization Security Links: http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Top_Virtualization_Security_Links

[lifeonmars]

yes, i meant IO devices sorry I should be more accurate.

i am starting to understand that now and maybe I should try and come out of the Windows way of thinking as you can install Windows Server on pretty much any IBM compatble computer.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Yes that will help. The HCL is there to tell us what VMware has tested and will support. It is possible to use other systems, some whiteboxes but not all. And so far no laptops (its been requested many times). ESX and any hypervisor really has significant hardware requirements that are unlike most operating systems. Even Xen and Hyper-V has similar requirements.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs: http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Blog_Roll

Top Virtualization Security Links: http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Top_Virtualization_Security_Links