The vmware.log file of the ESXi host reports the log spew: MsgHint: msg.piix4pm.guestInS1. Your guest has entered a standby sleep state

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:
The vmware.log file reports a log spew similar to:

PIIX4: PMAccessPM got ACPI S1 request
MsgHint: msg.piix4pm.guestInS1
Your guest has entered a standby sleep state. Use the keyboard or mouse while grabbed to wake it.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1

Cause

S1 is one of the power states defined by Adanced Conifguration and Power management Interface (ACPI). In Windows XP, this state is also called the Standby mode. In this state, the CPU clock is disabled for power saving. However, in virtual machines, the vCPU thread pauses and closes the screen.

This message can be safely ignored.

Resolution

To prevent the virtual machine from entering the Standby mode, disable the Standby mode option in guest operating system.

To disable the Standby mode option in Windows XP:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click Power Options > Power Schemes > System Standby.
3. Set System Standby to Never.

To disable the Standby mode option in Windows 7:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click Power Options > Preferred Plan > Change plan setting > Change advanced power settings.
3. Expland Sleep.
4. Set Sleep after to Never.

Additional Information

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/339900/the-vmwarelog-file-of-the-esxi-host-repo.html