VMware Cloud Community
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

ESX 4.0 Fails Dell R710

I thought I would try out ESX 4.0 on a new server, fresh install.

  • 2xSATA 7.2K 250GB DAS in RAID 1 configuration

  • a tonne of memory and cores...

I downloaded the ESX 4.0 ISO, burnt to DVD, booted off it,and installed away.

Nothing special here, i have a virtual disk of ~237GB that ESX can chew up for the install - more than enough...

However, after 4 tries, including re-downloading ISO, new DVD image and re-RAID1'ing the 2 disks, no luck.

Dell R710 are on the HCL.

Attacheded is the crash point - always the same...

Any thoughts or guru ones?

Reply
0 Kudos
1 Solution

Accepted Solutions
christianZ
Champion
Champion
Jump to solution

As suggested try another dvd writer and another software - I'm thinking also your dvd is damaged.

Reg

Christian

View solution in original post

Reply
0 Kudos
19 Replies
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Well 3.5 U4 installs fine...i guess that is why we roll out N-1.

Reply
0 Kudos
Rumple
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
Jump to solution

Have you checked the firmware on the server to see if that helps?

Reply
0 Kudos
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Firmware is current 1.2.6

i downloaded the ISO twice, burnt to DVD's...unless the distribution is bad.

Reply
0 Kudos
krowczynski
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
Jump to solution

Have you checked out, if all of the controllers you have build in your server are fully supported bym vmware?

MCP, VCP3 , VCP4
Reply
0 Kudos
pramodupadhyay5
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

installation of esx4 on SATA harddisk is in experimental mode...and i think ur SATA controller is not supporting the ESX installation..

For more help read this thread

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/227864

If you found this or any other answer useful please consider the use of the Helpful or Correct buttons to award points

If you found this or any other answer useful please consider the use of the Helpful or Correct buttons to award points
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

i would have thought that if i successfully installed ESX 3.5 then ESX 4.0 should not be an issue?

I am going to try and upgrade from 3.5 now, if this fails then i'll dig into SATA drivers. etc

Reply
0 Kudos
AndreTheGiant
Immortal
Immortal
Jump to solution

If have installed the ESX 4.0 on several R710 without problem (remember to apply as soon as possible the ESX patch for the RAID card)

Your problem seems a media problem.

If your have the iDRAC try to use it for the installation.

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
krowczynski
Virtuoso
Virtuoso
Jump to solution

Even if the update works it is not supported.

So install esx 3.5 or buy an Sas Controller from dell with 2 SaS drivers then you can go to vsphere.

MCP, VCP3 , VCP4
Reply
0 Kudos
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Had you install onto R710's with SATA?

I have no DRAC card.

Reply
0 Kudos
AndreTheGiant
Immortal
Immortal
Jump to solution

Had you install onto R710's with SATA?

On SAS disk... but it doesn't matter, if you are using the SAS6/i or PERC6/i controller.

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
Reply
0 Kudos
mcowger
Immortal
Immortal
Jump to solution

Yeah, not sure why everyone is talking about HCL, etc....

ITs clearly stating that your DVD/CD is bad - redownload/reburn and you should be fine.






--Matt

VCP, vExpert, Unix Geek

--Matt VCDX #52 blog.cowger.us
Reply
0 Kudos
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

""On SAS disk... but it doesn't matter, if you are using the SAS6/i or PERC6/i controller."

Yes, i have

SAS6/iR, Integrated Controller Card

Reply
0 Kudos
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

i have burnt the DVD twice and downloaded the ISO a couple for times.

I would think that it could be the DVD or DVD drive, however it always stops on the 54% some hostd file...

Maybe the ISO from vmware.com has issues, but i doubt it.

Reply
0 Kudos
mudha
Hot Shot
Hot Shot
Jump to solution

to rule out dvd issue try the same dvd and install it on any other server and if you are able to see same thning then dvd issue, burn one more dvd and check md5sum

Reply
0 Kudos
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

If the VMWare HCL states 1.0.2 for BIOS, do we think running BIOS 1.2.6 (current) would be an issue. I am thinking not.

Reply
0 Kudos
christianZ
Champion
Champion
Jump to solution

As suggested try another dvd writer and another software - I'm thinking also your dvd is damaged.

Reg

Christian

Reply
0 Kudos
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Well i have just gone through installation of VC4, VUM and the clients.

Tried to remmediate the ESX 3.5 -> 4.0 and it fails...it looses connection to the ESX host and that's it...nothing. i can reconnect the host again, but the remmediation just hangs.

I am now going to burn a new downloaded iso on another burner and try to bare metal install ESX 4.0.

If that does not work, it is something server and ESX4.0 related for sure,.

Reply
0 Kudos
kong10
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

All of that, and it was the burner...i recut the DVD (again) but this time from another burner..she works fine...ESX 4.0 freshly installed (i can smell the paint drying).

Sorry folk ...

Reply
0 Kudos
christianZ
Champion
Champion
Jump to solution

Nothing to sorry - that's IT-life. Welcome in vSphere club.

Reg

Christian

Reply
0 Kudos