Im trying to install Win7 on a machine with ESXi on it. Problem is it doesn't like my dvd, wont see a usb drive, and I dont have any way of performing a network install.

The dvd is iso burned. Any idea why it would not show as a bootable dvd to the bios upon loading?

10/19/2010 4:45:56 PM

Do or do not... there is no try.

10/19/2010 4:54:52 PM

You can't enable a remote disc drive in the VM's options? I can't remember if this is an option in ESXi or just ESX. But I would think you should be able to enable a CDROM and then use the VI Client to read your local disc.

10/19/2010 5:00:43 PM

https://(your vsphere box's IP)/client/VMware-viclient.exe

download, install, log in
go to the console of the VM
click the CD icon with a wrench on it, go to CD/DVD Drive 1
choose what you want

if that doesn't work, check in the BIOS to make sure the CD drive is in the boot order
or hit esc real quick when the VM first boots (or go to vm > edit settings > options > boot options and check the "force bios setup" or whatever the fuck they call it box)

[Edited on October 19, 2010 at 6:06 PM. Reason : although i guess you already have the VI client installed since you created a vm...]

[Edited on October 19, 2010 at 6:07 PM. Reason : unless you decided to go all rebel and use esxcli]

10/19/2010 6:06:15 PM

Evan, did all that. CDROM is in boot order. It works too I got a ubuntu disk to work. It just doesnt like my burned win dvd.

I didnt go all rebel. Im old republic

Only thing I can think of, is do you know of a way to dump the iso on the HD and boot that way? Thats normally how I do it with VMware, using Workstation. This is first time using ESXi.

10/19/2010 7:03:48 PM

From the VI Client, if you browse the datastore of your ESXi server, you can upload the ISO there. Then I think in the VM settings you can tell it to boot using that ISO. It's been a while since I've had to do this so I'm a bit fuzzy on the specifics.

10/19/2010 7:09:11 PM

^this

10/20/2010 8:05:55 AM

^^ THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I didnt know it could take an upload. Ive got one uploading right now after poking around to find how to do it.

Ok Thanks all!

10/20/2010 9:59:43 AM

TJB627 you have earned yourself a beer. Name time and place and Im buying at Mitch's.
evan Ill buy you one too as you named half the stuff I thought of but as a double check.

Anyone else in this thread, you show up and Ill buy one too.

10/20/2010 2:55:54 PM

iop1

10/20/2010 2:56:38 PM

^ ok Ill buy you one too but you have to come to Raleigh. Only cuz you are l33t too

\/++ sorry all you are out of luck

10/20/2010 3:50:55 PM

Haha thanks man. Just glad to see it worked.

10/20/2010 4:48:56 PM

Evan only comes with me.

10/20/2010 8:16:21 PM