Re: Kernel Panic after converting from GSX to ESXi

tlombardi · ‎08-13-2008

Hi,

I have a virtual machine running on GSX server running CentOS 5 using Volume Groups running off an IDE hard disk. I have converted the machine to my new ESXi server and the system boots up, Grub loads but the system can't find the volume group. Attached is a screenshot of the console text.

Does any body have an idea of the correct way to convert such a machine?

regards,

tonio

Rubeck · ‎08-13-2008

Maybe this KB helps, although it isn't quite the same scenario?

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=100240...

/Rubeck

Texiwill · ‎08-13-2008

Hello,

ESXi can not use IDE drives very well. Some SATA controllers are supported as are SCSI controllers. But IDE controllers are not supported as a place to run VMs. It will install fine, but is not supported. Check out the HCL for supported hardware. http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pages/vi_pubs_35.html

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

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

--
Edward L. Haletky
vExpert XIV: 2009-2023,
VMTN Community Moderator
vSphere Upgrade Saga: https://www.astroarch.com/blogs
GitHub Repo: https://github.com/Texiwill

tlombardi · ‎08-13-2008

Hi,

thanks for your answers. It's a slightly different scenario I think. However, Im booting into linux rescue mode with the CentOS disk however i cannot find either /dev/sda or /dev/VolGroup00 so i cannot mount the disk. If I boot with a Ubuntu live cd I can mount the boot partition but not the main disk where my installation is. Any clues how I can fix the broken box without having to re-install everything?

Regards,

Tonio

Texiwill · ‎08-14-2008

Hello,

Moved to ESXi forum.

If 'fdisk -l' does not show the proper boot disk then there is no recourse but to reinstall. If fdisk -l does show Linux partitions on a disk, you maybe looking at the wrong location.

At this point you are looking for a Linux.... Note however, ESXi is its own OS and uses its own filesystems, they are not Linux and you may not be able to find them.

If you are trying to restore CentOS that is one thing. If you are trying to restore ESXi that is a different thing entirely. I am a bit confused as ESXi would overwrite your centos install and this implies there is no recourse but to restore. Could you clarify what you wish to restore or find?