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khulekani
Contributor
Contributor

VMWare ESXi

I have lost root password for my ESXi Server. I believe you cannot reset password for ESXi without reinstalling. How do I backup my current virtual machines before attempting to reinstall to reset my password?

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VysakhNair
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

khulekani

Can you please confirm the ESXi host version and is it connected to vCenter server ?

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Vysakh Nair Blog - https://www.vxpert.in
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khulekani
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Contributor

VysakhNair

Unfortunately i just got to the company the guy who configured has left. But I know its a standalone. All I can see in the screen is the login screen. Not sure of the version.

vmWare.PNG

regards

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larstr
Champion
Champion

khulekani,

While it could be possible to reset the root password, the easiest solution would be to reinstall ESXi and choose to preserve datastore. You will then need to manually browse the datastore and register all VMs again.

Lars

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khulekani
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Contributor

larstr,

Does does the version matter when I reinstall or I need to use the same version.

regards

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larstr
Champion
Champion

khulekani,

It would be best to use same or newer version. Older version could work, but you may run into compatibility issues. If you have the console of your ESXi host available you can check the version running today.

Lars

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VysakhNair
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

khulekani

In that case better to re-install, do you have any storage mapped on this or all VMs are local datastore ?

Reinstall ESXi and choose to preserve datastore to keep your VMs, Add VMs to inventory after installation by browsing datastore

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Vysakh Nair Blog - https://www.vxpert.in
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khulekani
Contributor
Contributor

They are all in local datastore. I will re-install and update you.

Thank you.

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khulekani
Contributor
Contributor

VysakhNair

Do you perhaps have a direct link where I can download an .iso Latest ESxi

regards

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VysakhNair
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

khulekani

Download VMware vSphere Hypervisor for Free

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Vysakh Nair Blog - https://www.vxpert.in
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