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mysza78
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Installing Solaris 10 on ESX 3.0.2 fails with Disks No Found Error

I am trying to install Solaris 10 x86 on one of our ESX Servers (running 3.0.2). I am able to successfully boot an installation DVD or CD (tried both) to start the installer, go through IP Address, hostname etc setup and start the installer. However, shortly after I get an error saying "No Disks found. Check to make sure disks are cabled and powered up. Press OK to Exit." I am using a local storage on the server. Has anyone else ran into that issue and found a solution for it?

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dmadden
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Apply esx 3.0.2 patches 1005190 and 1005110. These provide Solaris 10 U5 support. They also require a VM and host reboot. I had the same problem until I applied these patches.

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mike_laspina
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Hello,

What disk adapter did you set on the virtual hardware.

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
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mysza78
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BusLogic

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mike_laspina
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I use the LSI adapter, it works and performs much better than the Buslogic.

Delete the disk and add it back as LSI based and all should be well again.

You may also be able to select the SCSI adaptor and change type, but I can not remember if that works on 3.0.2.

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
mike_laspina
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How are you doing with this issue?

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
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mysza78
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Thanks for checking. Didn't get a chance to work on it yet though Smiley Sad Will work on it later this afternoon.

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mysza78
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Ok, I switched to LSI Logic but that didn't help. Now I am getting stuck on Configuring devices. I remember seeing it when I tried couple of months ago. I read something about using Bus Logic but then I get stuck again. Any other ideas?

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mike_laspina
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It's now past the disk controller issue.

Did it stay hung up?

Thats usually a bios issue.

Try pci-reporg=off .

At the GNU Grub.Press "e" to go to the edit menu.

Edit the "kernel/platform/i86pc/multiboot" and add "-B pci-reprog=off".

so the line should look like

"kernel/platform/i86pc/multiboot -B pci-reprog=off"

Press enter

Press "b" to boot the system with the above line.

Installation should go on fine.

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
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mysza78
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I am not sure if it's past controller issue or not, probably not. Since it doesn't even let me specify any configuration it hangs right on the first screen.

Are you talking of BIOS settings for the VM or ESX Server, I am sorry I got confused.

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mike_laspina
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It is the VM Bios that would affect the install process. The LSI adapter is the correct one to use for Sol10.

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
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mysza78
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I can't get to BIOS. I see "Press F2 to setup" message for a brief second but it doesn't react to any input. Is there a magic way to get to BIOS I may not be aware of?

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mike_laspina
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This sould help.

Delaying the Boot Sequence

You can delay the boot sequence by a specified number of milliseconds, and you can force the boot sequence to enter BIOS setup.

Conditions

Virtual Machine Properties tab

Options

Virtual Machine Properties item

Advanced - Boot Options

Allowed while virtual machine is powered on?

Yes

Required privilege:

Advanced

To delay the boot sequence

  1. In the Power-on Boot Delay section, specify the number of milliseconds you want to transpire before the boot sequence begins when the virtual machine is powered on.

  2. Click OK.

To force the boot sequence to enter BIOS setup when the virtual machine is powered on, select the option in the Force BIOS Setup section.

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
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mysza78
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That option you are talking about is available with ESX 3.5 and I am running 3.0.2. However, I got to BIOS and didn't see anything I should change there. So I researched further more what you said about GRUB. I don't see GRUB menu:

Solaris Interactive (default)

Custom JumpStart

Solaris Interactive Text (Desktop session)

Solaris Interactive Text (Console session)

Apply driver updates

Single user shell

unless I change back to BUS Logic. :(( So I am still stuck!

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mike_laspina
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I was looking for the sol10 build number on the screenshot you posted.

Is that Solaris 10 5/08?

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
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mysza78
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Yes, that's correct. Downloaded newest version just a few days ago.

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mike_laspina
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What value did you select for a VM OS on the VM settings?

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
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mysza78
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Screenshots

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mike_laspina
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Can you add this line to the end of the VM's vmx file.

monitor_control.disable_longmode = 1

When I pasted Jive changed it the text it should be applied without the <code> parts

Also, is the assigned disk an RDM?

http://blog.laspina.ca/ vExpert 2009
mysza78
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That hasn't changed anything. Still stuck at Configuring Devices

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mysza78
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Does anyone else have any other advices? I am still not able to install Solaris 10 on my VM Smiley Sad

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