VMware ESXi 3.5u3 OEM-modded BIOS

Discussion in 'Virtualization' started by Digital Addict, Mar 2, 2009.

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  1. Digital Addict

    Digital Addict MDL Novice

    Mar 2, 2009
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    #1 Digital Addict, Mar 2, 2009
  2. Raph4

    Raph4 MDL Junior Member

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    #2 Raph4, Mar 2, 2009
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  3. HSChronic

    HSChronic MDL Expert

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    #3 HSChronic, Mar 2, 2009
    cool nice post. Thx!!
     
  4. revin

    revin MDL Novice

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    #4 revin, Mar 2, 2009
    Thanks! I've looking for a long time :)
     
  5. tryer

    tryer MDL Novice

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    #5 tryer, Mar 2, 2009
  6. Suicide Solution

    Suicide Solution MDL Addicted

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    #6 Suicide Solution, Mar 3, 2009
    The HP SLP string Hewlett-Packard will need to be written to the DMI area of the VMware bios and then use a resource editor to swap in the new modded bios.
     
  7. tryer

    tryer MDL Novice

    Mar 2, 2009
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    #7 tryer, Mar 3, 2009
    There is still no success.
    I did following:
    1) Opened ESX1SLIC.ROM with Phoenix BIOS Editor 2201
    2) Added Hewlett-Packard / ProLiant / Compaq strings.
    3) Saved BIOS
    4) Uploaded BIOS to virtual machine folder on ESXi datastore
    5) Downloaded and opened "hp.vmx" with Ultraedit (because it in Linux format)
    6) Added to "hp.vmx" string bios440.filename = "ESX1SLIC.ROM".
    7) Saved "hp.vmx"
    8) Repaleced "hp.vmx" to virtual machine folder on ESXi datastore
    9) Stared virtual machine.
    10) Windows setup loader still show "This system is not supported platform"

    ESXi is linux based supervisor, what kind of resource editor do you offer to use?

    Any ideas?
     
  8. Digital Addict

    Digital Addict MDL Novice

    Mar 2, 2009
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    #8 Digital Addict, Mar 4, 2009 (OP)
    Dell Windows Server 2008 version?

    Tried a test setup with client's Dell Windows Server 2008 DVD with no luck. I do see a single Dell entry in the modded BIOS, but don't know if it's for XP, Windows Server 2003, etc..

    Any chance of getting a Dell Windows Server 2008 XRM-MS version? :)
     
  9. carl0s

    carl0s MDL Novice

    Apr 18, 2009
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    #9 carl0s, Apr 19, 2009
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2009
    Cool. This works. You don't need to download the .vmx file.
    Just right-click the VM in VIC adn choose Edit Settings -> Options tab -> Advanced/General -> Configuration Parameters button. Add a new row of bios440.filename with the ESX1SLIC.ROM (don't know why they called it ESX1 instead of ESXI) and it works.

    Upload the file with the datastore browser. Put it alongside all the other files relating to that VM.

    Well, everest is showing the SLIC under ACPI now anyway. Am about to try Server 2008.

    Only problem is I need a Dell SLIC not Lenovo I suppose. I might try the VMware6.5 BIOS that's on here.
     
  10. carl0s

    carl0s MDL Novice

    Apr 18, 2009
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    #10 carl0s, Apr 19, 2009
    OK, the Dell BIOS from VMWare6.5 works on ESXi, but it shows just "Dell" under SLIC, not "DELL PE-S3" or whatever that the proper Dell poweredge's show. Might not activate, but looking promising anyway.
     
  11. carl0s

    carl0s MDL Novice

    Apr 18, 2009
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    #11 carl0s, Apr 20, 2009
    All works perfectly. Using the Dell BIOS and Dell license file from the VMWare Server 6.5 thread on here, I have activated Server 2008 x64 under VMWare ESXi 3.5 latest build, with the sell SLP key.
    No need for the files in this thread.