From http://vm-help.com/esx40i/ESXi_USB_install.php-

I am getting an error when trying to boot from my USB key, error "unknown keyword in configuration file: SYSLINUX". I have tried to rename the isolinux.bin to syslinux.bin. Can anyone advise? Steps taken to build usb boot key - 1. Format key with HP formatter tool as FAT32 2. Extract ESXi iso to key 3. Run syslinux.exe -s -m -f -a i: (i: is my usb drive) 4. Rename isolinux.cfg to SYSlinux.cfg 5. Boot from USB key and got error "unknown keyword in configuration file: SYSLINUX" 6. Renamed isolinux.bin to syslinux.bin, boot from key and got same error. The box I am trying to install on does already have XP installed, could this be the problem? Thanks.

Glenn, could you attach the syslinux.cfg file?

Dave,
See attached. Had to zip to upload.
Thanks

It looks like the wrong file was renamed. Isolinux.cfg looks more like this. PS - use the one from your install media and not the below one.

default menu.c32
menu title VMware VMvisor Boot Menu
timeout 80

label ESXi Installer
menu label ^ESXi Installer
kernel mboot.c32
append vmkboot.gz --- vmkernel.gz --- sys.vgz --- cim.vgz --- ienviron.vgz --- install.vgz

label ^Boot from local disk
menu label ^Boot from local disk
localboot 0x80

Hi Dave,

Thanks for replying so quick!

First of all I think I should mention that I am a complete beginner when it comes to VMWare ESX. I have messed around with VMWare Server and Workstation on my laptop but have never installed or used ESXi.

I am a littly confussed now, in my original post I said I renamed "isolinux.cfg" to "syslinux.cfg". It does look like I renamed the wrong file. I must have renamed ldlinux.sys instead. Now I don't know what file is what! I will delete all my files and start again and extract the ISO to my USB key and run the syslinux command.

I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

PS. Can you advise how you are viewing the Isolinux.cgf to get the below information you mentioned, are you just opening with notepad or something?

Many thanks,

Glenn.

Ok so I think I have named the files correct now!

binmod.tgz ,cim.tgz, ienviron.tgz ,license.tgz, oem.tgz, vmkernel.gz, boot.catalog, install.tgz, syslinux.bin, syslinux.cfg, mboot.c32, menu.c32

However when I boot now I get error "menu.c32: not a COM32R image".

This is my isolinux.cfg file -

default menu.c32
menu title VMware VMvisor Boot Menu
timeout 30

label VMvisor
menu label ^ThinESX Installer
kernel mboot.c32
append vmkernel.gz --- binmod.tgz --- ienviron.tgz --- cim.tgz --- oem.tgz --- license.tgz --- install.tgz

I should probaly mention that I am trying to install ESXi free.

This is actually ESXi 3.5 that I am trying to install. Should this post be moved maybe to the ESXi 3.x support forum?

I've moved it. The below comment new today on the page and it might help. I haven't seen that specific error below.




Comment:
I was having a similar problem, but I was able to get around it by renaming isolinux *Everything* including the directory name to syslinux. I'm still getting a message about a missing keyword of gfxboot, but that does not seem to cause any problems.

I have renamed isolinux *Everything* including the directory name to syslinux. I am still getting the "menu.c32: not a COM32R image" error and it will not boot past this.

Anyone else?

I did find a post advising changes that need to be made in the BIOS of my Dell 745, change SATA drive to Legacy mode, disable NIC and enable VT. I have done all except for enabling VT. I cannot find this in the BIOS. I have upgraded the BIOS to the latest version and still not option for VT.

Please help!

Have you tried an older version of syslinux?