Using ASUS M2A-VM for ESXi 4

It is possible to install ESXi 4 on an ASUS M2A-VM and the SB600 southbridge.  There are a few steps that you need to take to accomplish this.

First, you must purchase a separate NIC.  The onboard Realtek NIC is not very well supported.  There are hacks and drivers you can use to install the NIC but there have been numerous reports of issues.  Save yourself hours of troubleshooting and buy an INTEL Gigabit adapter off Ebay for $20.

Second, change the sata controller mode to AHCI.

Boot ESXi 4.0 and when you see the message about unable to find supported device hit ALT-F1.  This will bring up a console screen.  Type unsupported.  No password is needed.

Run “vmkload_mod ahci”.

Type install to begin the install.  Finish the install.

You will now need to mount the installation harddrives using a live cd.  Find /etc/vmware/simple.map.

Add:

1002:4380 0000:0000 storage ahci

You will also have to add your NIC.  Mine was an E1000.

You this site to find your ID. http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/Hardware_support.php