ESXi 3.5 Install Hangs at "Starting VMware ESX Server 3i"

[aliby19]

Hello,

When I run the VMWare ESXi 3.5 installer, it hangs/freezes at approximately 75% and it states that it was "Starting VMware ESX Server 3i"

Any suggestions on how to fix this?

Also, is there any way to make the ESXi installer process more verbose? I'd like to see more information than just what's presented if possible so I can narrow down the problem.

Thanks!

[FranckRookie]

Hi Aliby19,

You should have access to the vmkernel log by pressing ALTF12 or ALTF11 on the host.

Hope it helps.

Regards

Franck

[aliby19]

Unfortunately ALTF11, ALTF12, nor ALT+F1 (or any of the F keys for that matter) have worked to show the vmkernel log. Any other thoughts?

[FranckRookie]

What is your hardware: motherboard, storage, network cards...?

[aliby19]

Motherboard: SuperMicro X5DPA (I believe it is an X5DPA-8GG)

Storage: 3Ware 7506-4LP ATA RAID adapter (I have 3x250GB disks in RAID-5). From my understanding/research, this card might not be supported by ESXi (which could be my problem)

Network Cards: Dual Intel 82541GI Gigabit Ethernet cards

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

[AndreTheGiant]

Have a look on some whitebox configuration to see if there is some info about your system:

http://www.vm-help.com

http://ultimatewhitebox.com

Andre

[FranckRookie]

You should be right. Your problem could come from your 3Ware controller. I read some articles about such issues. The solution was to replace this card to install ESXi.

Good luck.

Franck

[aliby19]

I've also read of some community members trying to compile third party drivers to work with ESXi. Is it possible to do this for the 3ware 7000 series driver (in OpenSUSE and other distros this would be the 3w-xxxx driver)? I would really like to try getting this card working in my box (and not have to buy something else to replace it).

Thanks!