Problem installing Windows 2003 virtual server on ESX

[ThomasSorensen]

I am installing a second Windows 2003 server on our ESX Server
The Windows installation goes fine until the first reboot !!
When the Virtual server restarts then the windows installation starts over again ?? Any ideas

Any Suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Chacalinc]

when the virtual server is booting up press the <f2> key in order to enter to the bios and modify the boot order, 1. disk drive, 2nd CD, etc.

is the 2nd win install the same as the firsts one? you could copy the virtual disk and create a virtual machine using that virtual disk, so you don't need to reinstall the windows.

 

[ThomasSorensen]

My boot order is hd,cd,fd so that dont solve the problem
i am new to Vmware how do i copy the vitual disk ??

 

[Chacalinc]

My boot order is hd,cd,fd so that dont solve the problem

so the problem is your windows install. when you boot up a virtual machine is the same thing as you boot a *real* server, so if the install process didn't write the mbr (virtual or real, is the same thing) so windows will try to boot from CD.

how do i copy the vitual disk ??

you have two ways:

1. using the MUI (web admin) go to the option "manage files..." (upper-right position)
navigate to the VMFS where the virtual disk disk is
mark it
press "copy" (*NOT* cut, or you will lose it)
paste it in other location and then rename the copied file
then create a new virtual server but use an existing disk instead a blank one.

2. using ssh (better than MUI)
login to the ESX server with putty or some ssh terminal
go to the VMFS where the virtual disk is (remember that it is a file actually)
copy it to another location o to the same VMFS with another name: "cp virtual_win2k3.dsk virtual_new_win2k3.dsk" (in the same location
create a new virtual server using an existing disk instead a blank one pointing out to this new file.

cheers.

 

[ThomasSorensen]

Thanks the copy part did the trick......