Are you able to get anything more specifc (e.g. LSI 1068 / Intel Pro / etc). ESX is supported (and recognizes) a limited hardware set. It may be that the install doesn't recognize the NIC or disk controller. Looking at the quickspecs here - http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12867_na/12867_na.HTML do you have the SATA controller or SAS controller? Likewise I'm not sure you'll have luck with the NC105i NIC. Ideally you would want an Intel or Broadcom NIC. Take a look at the list here - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi35_io_guide.pdf. I use an Intel Pro 1000 GT in my whiteboxes which can be bought fairly cheaply. Or you might have a spare NIC around.