Original .ISO: VMware-VMvisor-InstallerCD-3.5.0_Update_4-153875.i386.iso

Specs:
MB: MSI MS-7527 G31M4-F
CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8300 @ 2.83GHz
Chipset: Intel G31 (82G31 + NH82801GB (ICH7))
Video: Intel GMA 3100
Memory: 1 x 1GB + 2 x 512Gb DDR2 PC2-5300 (DDR667)
NIC: Realtek RTL8111C 10/100/1000
HDD: 1x80GB Hitachi HDS721680PLA380

Install from external USB DVD-ROM
Prepare .iso process:
1. Made a mix from
http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/Custom ... em_1.1.tgz
and
http://www.icjacobsen.com/dld/oem.tgz
2. Implement summary oem.tgz into the .iso + .dd-file.
3. Correct /usr/lib/vmware/installer/Core/TargetFilter.py as described here:
http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/ESXi_i ... _drive.php
4. Burn new .iso at CD-RW and boot from it.

Install process was fine, but after reboot I see
"PANIC: Failed to find HD boot partition"
Then I reboot again, and voila! No errors! Everything fine!
I try to reinstall ESXi five times and each time after first boot I see
"PANIC: Failed to find HD boot partition"
One time I see "Unable to find a supported device to write the VMware ESX Server..." while installation. I reboot again and installation were sussessful.
Now I create two VM.
1. RHEL 5.3 64-bit edition (2CPU,512Gb RAM, 10Gb HDD)
2. Windows 2003 Enterprise Server 64-bit edition (2CPU,512Gb RAM, 10Gb HDD)
Both systems works fine!

Thanks for posting all this detail.