Starting the ESXi host fails at the SYSLINUX prompt

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• Cannot start the ESXi host
• Starting the ESXi host fails at the SYSLINUX prompt
• You see the error:
  
  SYSLINUX 3.86 EBIOS

Environment

• VMware ESX 4.1.x
• VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
• VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
• VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
• VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
• VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
• VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0
• VMware ESX 4.0.x
• VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
• VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5
• VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded

Cause

This issue occurs when a stuck key is pressed during the boot process. If the Shift or Alt keys are pressed during the ESXi boot sequence or if Caps Lock or Scroll Lock is enabled, it pauses at the SYSLINUX prompt. This behavior is by design, but can occur unexpectedly if there is a problem with a keyboard/KVM/remote KVM that is connected to the host. Please refer to the specific hardware vendor of the KVM/keyboard.

Resolution

To work around this issue and to bypass this screen, manually press Enter.

 

For more information, see SYSLINUX.