ESXi 6.5 boots, 7.0.3 does not.

[joeseppi]

Testing platforms and configurations attempted to install ESXi 7.0.3 on a Dell Optiplex 9020.   I believe it is not a "supported" platform for any version of VMWare, but, it is known to work, at least in modest use cases.

While it loaded, with a warning the the processor might not be supported in later versions, it did install properly, but, when rebooting, the Dell complained that no boot devices were available.

The setup screen showed VMware 7 available and selected as the boot device.  Attempted various alterations such as "legacy rom", etc, but, no boot device continued.  Installing the CD and rebooting loads the installer.

Last resort was to boot 6.5 u1 installer and install 6.5 "fresh".   Of course, it installed and booted just fine.  No changes to configuration.

Just wondering why.

[pcgeek2009]

I believe they depreciated legacy boot in vSphere 7. Therefore, if the workstation does not support UEFI, then that is probably your issue. https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/84233

If it does, then you may need to change the boot settings to UEFI,