VMWare - WinXP install can't find disk

[rugene]

I've followed the direction in the StarWind_ESX.pdf. My setup looks as the pdf describes. I set a new VM to emulate an LSI device (also tried buslogic). From the xp install disk, hit F6, install the lsi driver from a floppy image as recommended. When I get to the "Welcome to Setup" screen for WinXP, it fails to find a disk to install to. I have previously setup a 20GB datastore to a storwind target, allocating 10 G for the winxp VM. Hard Disk 1 points to my vmdk but does not appear to be able to use or find it.
BTW, I can access the datastore, i.e., create folders, upload images.

any ideas?

[rugene]

also, I can install a w2k3 vm ok using another partition on the same starwind iscsi disk store. The flp is derived from the LSI download: symmpi_SCSI_WinXP_P12_12605. Is this the right scsi driver to use?
thanks

[Bohdan (staff)]

The XP cd doesn't have the SCSI drivers on it to recognize either the Buslogic or LSI logic SCSC controllers that ESX uses in its VMs. If you created your VM with a SCSI adapter type of buslogic, you'll need to download a drivers floppy image from the below link.
http://www.vmware.com/download/server/d ... tools.html

Then
1) copy the FLP file to your ESX server (you can put it on the VMFS data store).
2) edit your VM and change the floppy to use an image file. Then browse to the FLP file. Make sure the connected at power option is enabled.
3) power on your VM. During the Windows install at the right time press F6 to add storage drivers and then load the driver from the floppy drive in the VM.

If you're using the LSI logic controller - see this link - http://virtrix.blogspot.com/2007/09/vmw ... n-esx.html

source:
http://communities.vmware.com/message/878593#878593