Fatal Error: 15 (Not found) when attempting to install ESXi using an ISO image

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

During initial load of the ISO for installation, an error of "Fatal Error: 15 (Not found)" is seen at various files with each install attempt.

You see an error such as: (The fatal error can happen at different stages/files that are being loaded, below is just an example)

Loading /EFI/Boot/boot.cfg
UEFI Secure Boot is not enabled
Loading /EFI/BOOT/crypto64.efi
Loading /b.b00
Loading /jumpstrt.gz
Loading /useropts.gz
Loading /features.gz
Loading /k.b00
Loading /uc_intel.boo
Fatal error: 15 (Not found)

An example of the screen looks as follows:

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.x 

Cause

When an ISO is loaded to a hosts console, the network between the physical hardware and the workstation in which the ISO is being loaded from can cause an issue.

Resolution

Load the ISO file from a workstation that is on a closer network to the physical hardware or load the ISO directly onto the host instead of using a virtual cd-rom.

Additional Information

Error: "Fatal Error: 15 (Not found)" when patching ESXi host 

Japanase version of this KB: ISO イメージを使用して ESXi をインストールしようとしたときに、「Fatal Error: 15 (Not found)」のエラーが発生する