Trying to in stall first virtual machine

[mattyche]

Just want a simple W2K3 sever on my newly up and running ESXi server. Went through wizard, trying to install the OS from a DVD. I keep getting the message "operating system not found". Makes me think the VM I created isn't booting from DVD. Checked Bios, it's set to boot from DVD ROM. Checked the VM client settings and it's set to connect to the Host DVD drive. Still no luck. Any help would be great.

[kjb007]

Looks to me like your host dvd drive is not recognized. And by host dvd, I mean the dvd on your ESXi server, and not on your client. Are you trying to use the dvd from your client machine?

-KjB

[Troy_Clavell]

....one other thing to check. Make sure the box in the CD/DVD Drive that reads "Connected" is checked.

[mattyche]

The DVD on the host is working, it's how I installed the ESX server so I know it's functioning. I do not know if there could be issues between the Host DVD Rom and the Client OS I'm trying to install.

On the new VM it does say "connected" to the DVD rom. I've tried several combinations to see if I'm doing something wrong but no luck with anything.

I'm creating an ISO of the CD to see if I can boot from that. The only question I have is once the .ISO is created, how do I get it to the ESX server so I can boot from it? The console is a basic interface and the only other thing I see to access the server (which I'm using now) is the VMware Infrastructure Client where I point to that ESX server's IP.

Thanks

[Troy_Clavell]

instead of using the HOST to as the DVD resourse, I would say, just use the "Client Device" option and mount the DVD/.iso from your workstation or a UNC. That may help a bit.

[admin]

The VI client has a nice GUI datastore browser that will let you copy the iso file to the ESX host from your local machine also.

Just double-click on any of the disks your ESXi host can see, and it will open the datastore browser.

Click the icons to upload, download, copy, and move files around on the ESXi's local disk, SAN LUNs, and NAS resources.

/mark

[mattyche]

I was able to browse to the .iso. I'll check out that other utility too. Still though, I can't install the guest OS using this iso either. Here is what it looks like (see attached). Frustrating.

[mattyche]

I was able to browse to the .iso. I'll check out that other utility too. Still though, I can't install the guest OS using this iso either. Here is what it looks like (see attached). Frustrating.

[admin]

If you're still stuck, send me a screenshot of your VM's virtual CD configuration.

/mark

[thesage]

I had the same problem as you. After experimenting a while, I got lucky. Try this:

At the point you get the "no operating system found" message, use CTRL-ALT-INSERT (same as CTRL-ALT-DEL) and it should instantly restart and boot from the CD in your client's drive.

I have no idea why it is necessary to do it this way, but it works.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

There are also some VM options that can help with the BIOS screen. If you edit the settings for a VM and select Options tab, you can go to boot option and set ethir a power-on boot delay or force the VM to go into the BIOS setup.