Starting VMware VirtualCenter Server service fails with the error: Failed to initialize: Invalid Locale

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

After installing vCenter Server 4.1 on Windows 2008 SP2 64bit system, you experience these symptoms:

• Cannot start VMware VirtualCenter Server service
• Starting VirtualCenter Server service fails
• Running the C:\Program Files\VMware\Infrastructure\VirtualCenter Server> vpxd -s command, displays an output similar to:
  
  [2010-12-21 13:25:28.800 00908 info 'App'] [Vpxd::ServerApp::Init:831] Calling: VpxdInvt::Load(gDB)
  [2010-12-21 13:25:28.816 00908 info 'App'] [Vpxd::ServerApp::Init:832] Calling: Vpxd::Session::Init()
  [2010-12-21 13:25:28.817 00908 warning 'Locale'] Locale '' not supported in module 'iso2win'.
  [2010-12-21 13:25:28.818 00908 error 'App'] Invalid server locale specified.
  [2010-12-21 13:25:28.818 00908 warning 'VpxProfiler'] ServerApp::Init took 4674 ms
  [2010-12-21 13:25:28.819 00908 error 'App'] [VpxdMain] Failed to initialize: Invalid Locale.
  [2010-12-21 13:25:28.819 00908 error 'App'] Failed to intialize VMware VirtualCenter. Shutting down...
  [2010-12-21 13:26:24.387 00908 info 'App'] Forcing shutdown of VMware VirtualCenter now

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x

Cause

This issue occurs when the regional settings in vCenter Server are incorrect.

Resolution

To resolve this issue:

1. Open Regional and Language Options in Control Panel.
2. Click Regional Options.
3. Select English (United States) from Standards and formats.

Note: If your problem persists even after trying the steps in this article, file a support request with VMware Support and note this Knowledge Base article ID (1032339) in the problem description. For more information, see How to Submit a Support Request.