VMware ESXi boots to black screen with only one text line: "usb"

Question

After rebooting my server (Lenovo System X), my ESXi instance starts to boot and then hangs up after the Yellow/Grey screen. I have a black screen, with a white "usb" on top.

I found similar issue with "scrath" or "ssh" text, but not "usb". I tried to reboot several times, with the same result.

I can't find any documentation about this behavior.

Note: my ESXi is installed on the hypervisor USB flash drive.

Does it boot off a 'fresh' new USB drive? – Chopper3 Apr 19 '18 at 10:43 — Chopper3, Apr 19 '18 at 10:43
Is all of the hardware on the VMware HCL? – joeqwerty Apr 19 '18 at 11:15 — joeqwerty, Apr 19 '18 at 11:15

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 19 '18 at 13:02

1

Did your USB drive fail?

Because, if so... the system probably won't boot. (this is a good reason NOT to use USB boot for standalone hosts)

See: What happens when the USB key or SD card I've installed VMware ESXi on fails?

answered Apr 19 '18 at 13:02

ewwhite

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I installed a fresh ESXi on a new USB, and restored the VM from the datastore. – user4780495 Apr 20 '18 at 05:08

VMware ESXi boots to black screen with only one text line: "usb"

1 Answers1