asked on

VMWARE ESX machine doesn't recognize root partition

Hello,
After a power outage our ESX machine refuses to boot.
The error message is :
The root partition specified (UUID=...) was not found on COS VMDK that specified (/vmfs/volumes/.../esxconsole-.../esxconsole.vmdk).

I tried the solution described here
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1012142
and it didn't help.

Thanks in advance

Ernie Beek

Try booting in troublshooting mode and issue the command: esxcfg-boot --rebuild

grishav

ASKER

Thank you, but before I do this can you please explain what is the meaning of this command?
Note: I'm new to esx and to vmware ...

Ernie Beek

This command rebuilds /boot/initrd.img that's a RAM disk image used when booting the kernel.

Ernie Beek

If you're not sure about this, first backup the original.

grishav

ASKER

I wish I could backup the original...
I tried to attach external USB disk to it, but it doesn't seem to recognize it.
Anyway, trying to execute the esxcfg-boot command you gave I got the message that the command is not found.
Where should it be?

Ernie Beek

SHould be in /usr/sbin/

Ernie Beek

You did boot in troublshooting mode did you?

grishav

ASKER

It is not there...
I have some esxcfg-xxx (i.e. esxcfg-advcfg) commands in /usr/sbin, but not esxcfg-boot
I'm definitely in troubleshooting mode

Ernie Beek

mmmmmm you have version 4.x do you?

grishav

ASKER

esx 4.0