I can't figure out how to boot from the CDROM and load/install (or even get the opening screen for) Ubuntu, or any other new install I try.
I can import a Virtual Appliance like NTOP and it's working just fine: picking up new machines as they get powered up, etc.
First, I step through the new-v-machine wizard (VMware Infrastructure Client) using Typical. I've set up a delay of 10000 milliseconds at boot time (as recommended in the docs), and there is plenty of time between powering-up the machine and pushing the button and connecting the cd drive.
But, I never see the CD drive light up, and no matter whether the BIOS setting is to CD-ROM before network boot, it always tries to boot from network, and fails with 'no operating system found' type of message.
I know the Ubuntu CD works 'cause I just booted it on my standalone machine.

Thanks in advance.
-WillieZ

P.S. - Doesn't matter tat we've all been there before, it sucks being a newbie! Takes forever to get walking, let alone running. :^)

Can somebody translate for me what this means:
With many Linux guest operating systems, various problems have been observed when the BusLogic virtual SCSI adapter is used with VMware virtual machines. VMware recommends that you use the LSI Logic virtual SCSI adapter with this guest operating system.
This came from the "Ubuntu Linux 7.1" install section of the "Guest Operating System Installation Guide".
Thx again,
WillieZ

After some stumbling, I found out that I AM using the recommended type (LSI Logic), so thats ruled out.
Any tests I can run, or pre-install commands to see if the CD-ROM is recognized?
Thx

Are you using the host's CD-ROM or the one in your PC?

If using the host's CD-ROM or a datastore ISO make sure you have the CD-ROM option "connect at power on" enabled for the VM.

If you want to use one in the CD-ROM I do this
1) add the BIOs delay
2) press the key to get the boot menu in the BIOS and highlight the CD device (don't press enter yet).
3) connect your local CD-rom or ISO image to the VM
4) switch back to the console for the VM and press enter to continue booting.

Ok, I thought the VMware server machine's CD-ROM drive has the bootable CD, not the machine where the Client is running.

Also, the device status 'connect at power on' is greyed out, and the Device Type and Mode areas are NOT greyed out, yet the machine is powered on. Shouldn't those be reversed?: device status NOT greyed out, and the other greyed out. Does this mean VMware doesnt even recognize that hardware?

And finally, I leave the bootable CD in the VMware server's drive even during reset or power-up, yet the drives light never comes on, 'cept when I first put the disk in the tray.

Also, one other thing I forgot to mention is that when I press the connect-drive button, there are two choice (and neither works) "connect to E" and "connect to G".

I've pulled up dozens of requests for help on this problem, and only one comes back with anything, yet it isn't reproducible ( http://forum.soft32.com/linux/gentoo-VM ... 24404.html OR http://www.mombu.com/gnu_linux/gentoo/t ... 07210.html ), so if you solve this that'll be a lot of help I think!

Thanks again,

How have you made out with this? If you're using the host's CD-ROM you'll want to check Host Device as the Device Type and the connected / connect at power on options will then not be grayed out.

Still havent figured it out.
When I was creating the 'Ubuntu' virtual machine, I changed the CD-DVD drive's Host device to Host Device, and as you see it knows the CD-DVD device.
But after the delay I put in expires, it jumps to booting PXE from the net.

I dont know what else to do.
Anybody?

Does this seem to be a DHCP-type problem?

If you edit the settings for the VM and look at the virtual CD-ROM is the connected and connect at power on options enabled? For the host device is the server's CD-ROM displayed (rather than just No Devices Available)?

Not sure what "For the host device is the server's CD-ROM displayed (rather than just No Devices Available)?" means??

The 'connected' is greyed out when powered down, and not-greyed after power up. See the pic when powered down, and the pic when powered up.

Also, looking back at my notes installing VMware I changed the /usr/lib/vmware/installer/Core/TargetFilter.py:
FROM
return interface.GetInterfaceType() == ScsiInterface.SCSI_IFACE_TYPE_IDE
TO
return interface.GetInterfaceType() == ScsiInterface.SCSI_IFACE_TYPE_ISCSI

Could it be possible that at a simple level the hardware is recognized (I.E. displaying the "ATAPI CD-ROM: VMware Virtual IDE CDROM Drive", but when it is actually tried to be used it fails (I.E. - skipped over and going to PXE at the bottom of the boot list)?

(Tired of me yet?)Thx again.