ESXi 3.5 on HP Proliant DL 320 G5p: installation stop when reaches the 44%

[Idea-Net]

Hi, I'm trying to install VMWare ESXi 3.5 update 2 (lastest version) on a new HP Proliant DL320 G5p server, with Smart Array 200 and 2 HD SATA 500GB configured on RAID 1+0.

When the install wizard reaches the 44% of installation, I receive a message of a fatal error:

"Unable to write image to the selected Disk.

This may be caused by bad sectors on the device or another hardware problem."

Any idea ?

I have tried a single HD, but I receive the same problem.

Thank you

Luca

[mistraller]

Same error here, but.... I use the standard Embedded SATA controller (with SATA RAID disabled). Installer sees both of my disks. After a while (Think 44% percent) it gives me the same error.

Tried several disks on two servers. So it can't be defective hardware.

I assume that you already know that the DL320 is not on the HCL.

[Idea-Net]

Some add:

tried without Smart Array E200, directly with internal SATA controller: same problem

Yes, I know that the DL320 is not on the HCL... but the older DL320 G5 works fine with Smart array E200 and SATA disk.

On the DL320 G5p has been changed the chipset and processor: components used on other server that's works...

Another consideration: the files copied during installation (until 44%), are copied without any problem.

When I receive the error message, I remove the install cd and reboot the server: the parts of vmware installed before the stop are loaded!

Isn't a problem of BIOS configuration ?

Because I founded this Howto to setting up an Proliant hardware for use with VMware ESX (tried, but I don't have resolved the problem)

• Press F9 during POST to enter the BIOS

• Select System Option, press

• Select Power Regulator for ProLiant, press

• Select HP Static High Performance Mode, press

• Press to return to the main menu

• Select Server Availability, press

• Select ASR Status, press

• Select Disable, press

• Press to return to the main menu

• Select Advanced Options, press

• Select Processor Options, press

• Select Intel(R) Virtualization Technology, press

• Select Enable, press

• Press 2x to return to the main menu

• Press to exit the BIOS

• Press to confirm

[Texiwill]

Hello,

I would suggest you ask the same question on the HP Forum, or call HP support as this is an issue with their systems.

One thing I had to do was not use the ILO but a physical CDROM in some cases. Not sure you are using the ILO, but try burning a disk if you have not yet tried this.

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.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[mistraller]

In my case, I tried two physical CDrom's, so ILO is not involved.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

On this, then I would contact HP.

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.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[Idea-Net]

Hi everybody,

I have found the problem: isn't an HP problema, but a problem of vmware (probably).

I have disabled the internal SATA controller in the BIOS, attached an external USB cd-rom and the installation has been completed!

Probably, the vmware ESXi doesn't include the driver for the "Integrate Intel 82801IR Serial ATA Host Controller".

Now, the problem is that I don't see the USB cd-rom on virtual machine...

Question for vmware: have you planned a drivers update of the cd installer ? when ?

Thank you

Luca

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Moved to ESXi Forum.

I have found the problem: isn't an HP problema, but a problem of vmware (probably).

System is not on the HCL so it could be either.

I have disabled the internal SATA controller in the BIOS, attached an external USB cd-rom and the installation has been completed!

Great news.

Probably, the vmware ESXi doesn't include the driver for the "Integrate Intel 82801IR Serial ATA Host Controller".

Unsure.

Now, the problem is that I don't see the USB cd-rom on virtual machine...

USB devices can NOT be presented to VMs. You either need to switch back to the SATA, or use the VIC to connect a CD/DVD via the network or use a USB over IP device.

Question for vmware: have you planned a drivers update of the cd installer ? when ?

This is most likely why the DL320 G5p is NOT on the HCL. (http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi35_systems_guide.pdf) While you can use it, there are some features that will not work. It would be up to HP to work with VMware on this. You should open a Feature Request with VMware and HP.

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.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[Bernikm]

You can run ESXi from USB Flash drive, and have SATA drives only for virtual machines.

http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/Boot%203i%20from%20USB%20flash%20drive.html

[Idea-Net]

I'm using the disk array on the Smart Array 200... on this disk I can install ESX.

The only problem it's that I can't see the cdrom attached on SATA controller... but the workaround it's to load, via network, the ISO image on the VM storage.

[Bernikm]

Yes you're right, you can load ISO image or CD-ROM via network to you VM. Did you have any other difficulties with HP DL320 G5 hardware under ESXi. I'm also thinking of buying the same server and put some non-critical services on it, just to put some old server away. How about integrated NIC NC326i. Did ESXi recognized it correctly?

Regards,Miha

[Idea-Net]

yes, the integrated NIC it's recognized correctly.

[Bernikm]

Thanks. Have orderer a new DL320, will see how it goes.

[ArturABC]

I’ve tried installed

ESXi 3.5 in

2 IBM SYSTEM x 3200 M2

with only one difference between them! One have 1G and other 2G!

Results:

With 2G the

ESX installed and with 1G, I get 44% error! But if I install the ESX 3.5 ( the

big one not the i) they install and work

fine ! (but they will stop work after 60 days )

So the

solutions is! Use more ram! And we can consider that the 1G requirement is wrong!

[barce]

Workaround #1:

If you have 1GB of RAM, add 1GB more. Install normally and remove that extra GB after installing. Everything should work properly.

Workaround #2:

1. Go to the BIOS setup to the PCI devices section and disable the SATA controllers.

2. Connect an external USB CD-ROM Drive and install ESXi

3. Once installed and running, you should be able to enable SATA controllers again.

I had a problem with STEP 3, pressing F9 to enter the BIOS setup utility just hanged the machine. The solution was to remove cover, turn on dip switch #6 (Clear CMOS), boot, press F9. Power off. Turn off dip switch #6.

[XavierH]

You can run ESXi from USB Flash drive, and have SATA drives only for virtual machines.

Hello,

I've installed ESXi 3.5.0 on my HP DL320 G5 using a usb key.

It boots correctly and my NICs are working but I can't see the server's sata Hard Disks (2x 250GB in RAID 1).

Did someone find a way to fix this?

Thanks a lot!

[issana]

I update the Flash ROM for HP ProLiant DL320 G5p from hp website and then it works

How I did that?

1) I install Windows 2003 Server.

2) Update the

Type:	BIOS - System ROM
Version:	2008.06.20 (1 Aug 2008)
Operating System(s):	Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 W32, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x64
File name:	cp009376.exe (1.3 MB)

3) Reboot and Install VMware ESXi 3.5.

Hopefully this will help you guys.