ESXi 8.0 | 11 OCT 2022 | Build 20513097 I noticed a couple new ROMs in ESXi 8.0. How does EFI20-64.ROM differ from EFI64.ROM? As far as modding/activation I don't see any difference. Anyone know? BIOS.440.ROM EFI20-32.ROM *new* EFI20-64.ROM *new* EFI32.ROM EFI64.ROM Update: Both Server 2022 / Windows 7 (Pro) VMs use EFI20-64.ROM by default. (EFI ROM version: VMW201.00V.20192059.B64.2207280713 (64-bit RELEASE)). Update 2: BIOS.440.ROM (build 497) is unchanged from ESXi 7.0.3 and can be used for OEM:SLP activation. EFI behavior on ESXi 8.0 is strange (on my installation anyway). ESXi 8.0 insists on using the default stock EFI20-64.ROM in every case, any EFI (modded or stock) specified in the .vmx is ignored, so OEM:SLP activation is not possible. Update 3: Not so strange maybe: EFI20-64.ROM = tpm support Any EFI based VM created with ESXi 8.0 will use EFI20-64.ROM (TPM support) and the 'efi64.filename = "CUSTOM_EFI64.ROM"' .vmx entry will be disabled - to prevent potential tpm issues? Existing VMs can continue to use modded EFIs via .vmx entry. Both newly created and existing VMs can be activated with a modded BIOS.440.ROM Something else, ESXi 8.0 added support for Server 2025 as a Guest OS.
Does someone knows where the default stock EFI-64.ROM is located? Can this stock EFI-64.ROM be overwritten with a modded one to permit OEM:SLP activation?
Thank you pantagruel I tried to install windows server 2022 standard on ESXi 8.0 with VM Options -> Boot Options -> Firmware BIOS but as soon as the VM starts I got the following error: "acpi motherboard layout requires efi" The very same setup works perfectly fine under ESXi 7.0 Update 3 and even activate.
To double-check I just now set up Server 2022 Standard (BIOS) in ESXi 8.0, added the .vmx entry etc., and it's activated. I don't know why you're getting "acpi motherboard layout requires efi". Are you sure you specified 'Firmware BIOS'? Maybe try again? Edit: try setting 'Boot Delay' (under Firmware BIOS) to 100 milliseconds.
As soon as I will able to test it I will try. Also I will try Boot Delay of 100 milliseconds. I do not have an OEM windows 2022 server iso image so for my tests I use the 180 days eval downloaded from microsoft. Then I convert it to retail with the DSIM cmmand. Maybe someone has a download link for an OEM windows 2022 server retail iso image. But wait a moment, you say in a previous post that ESXi 8.0 ignore .vmx entries about BIOS/EFI ROM files, do you have found a way to force ESXi 8.0 to force it to take into account .vmx entry BIOS/EFI ROM files?
Sure, here's some links. Install the DELL OEM key/cert after installation. I used this image: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...20348-1-fe_release.83200/page-57#post-1760812 Another link: https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...20348-1-fe_release.83200/page-56#post-1760500 Also, I didn't need to 'force' the BIOS .vmx entry. Maybe I wasn't clear: Only EFI VMs created with ESXi 8.0 ignore .vmx entries.
Thank you Pantagruel! > Also, I didn't need to 'force' the BIOS .vmx entry. Maybe I wasn't clear: Only EFI VMs created with ESXi 8.0 ignore .vmx entries. So there is no need to install the BIOS/EFI ROM? Only installing the DELL OEM key/cert after installation is sufficient? Last but not least (I am not an expert) does the certificates have an expiring date? If yes, what happens *after* the expiring date?
You need to use the modded BIOS, it has a SLIC (software licensing description table) which matches the cert. The cert doesn't expire. Use ESXI8.0_DELL2.6_BIOS.440.ROM and follow the 'How to Use Mod in ESXi'.pdf included in the mod download and you'll be OK.
Hi, Pantagruel! Can you explain this statement in more detail? How I can use modded efi ROM in EFI VMs with ESXi 8.0? Thanks&Regards!
There's not much detail I can add to what I've already posted, but to summarize: it is not possible to overwrite the stock roms in /usr/lib/vmware/roms with modded roms. From 7.x they are read-only with restricted permission changes. it is not possible to use a .vmx entry to specify a EFI rom (modded or unmodded) in VMs created with ESXi 8.0, the entry is ignored. Use efi20-64.filename in the .vmx. it is possible to use a .vmx entry to specify a EFI rom (modded or unmodded) in VMs created with ESXi < 8.0, the entry is accepted. So, to use a modded EFI in ESXi 8.0 your best bet is to import a VM created in ESXi < 8.0, that way you can still specify the modded EFI64.ROM in the .vmx. It's not ideal, but it works.
@edelweiss Made a mistake, to use a modded EFI in ESXi 8.0 you must specify: efi20-64.filename = "name of modded efi.rom" not efi64.filename = "name of modded efi.rom" then it works. EDIT: To make things more clear, if the vmx entry is virtualHW.version = "20" use efi20-64.filename, otherwise use efi64.filename.