ESXi 4.1 whitebox problems

[Mackintire]

I'm running into one issue after another. Fun stuff eh?

The computer is a Dell inspiron 530, its on the known whitebox hardware list


Anyhow. ESXi 4.1 didn't want to install on my USB stick. So I google around and discover that the 4.1 installer is buggered up. So I download version 4.0. That installs but when the machine tries to boot I get a "boot error" on the screen.

So now I am trying again this time installing to a CF card.

Fun stuff indeed.

Any ideas?

 

[danswartz]

Sorry, no. If various workarounds don't work, throw it on a small crappy disk?

 

[lopoetve]

Sounds like a problem. Got any error messages for the "boot error"?

 

[dasaint]

i have had issues with usb keys a lot of times its really dependent on the brand... have had a lot of bad experiences with the SANdisk brand... best results i got were from kingston sticks.

 

[Mackintire]

I've been using supertalant USB disks. so far its not booting from them. The installer appears to be working. So that is some sort of progress.

 

[NetJunkie]

Does ESXi try to start?

 

[danswartz]

USB booting can be very flaky depending on motherboard, the specific type of key, etc...

 

[Mackintire]

Updating the Dell 530 Bios now.

 

[Mackintire]

Dell 530 crappy USB boot support! I got it running using the plop boot CD. Now I will just have to script a custom compiled build of that CD to autoboot the USB drive.

Fun times eh.... at least I know have the environment up and running.

 

[dasaint]

but dude...

Its a Dell!

couldnt help myself

 

[athlon1.2]

Is there any performance advantage to running it on a USB instead of a hard drive?

 

[NetJunkie]

No.

 

[lopoetve]

no spinning media needed? sounds cool? Looks neat?

Yeah, not really...