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HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

  • 1.  HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 01:05 PM

    We have a VMWare ESXi 5.0.0 (build 504890) host and are running into problems installing a Windows Server 2008 R2 VM. When booting off a DVD to install Windows, we get a "HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED" error and the VM reboots.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks, Oliver



  • 2.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 01:16 PM

    Is it possible that it is an OEM customized DVD?

    Could you go an try to redownload the image from your Microsoft portal or another known to be good source?



  • 3.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 01:39 PM

    @ hpreyers - yes, it's a downloaded ISO from Microsoft Action Pack.



  • 4.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 01:31 PM

    Is NX/XD enabled in the host BIOS?



  • 5.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 01:43 PM

    @ jmattson - unfortunately, I can't check the host BIOS without rebooting... or is there a way to check this from my vSphere client?



  • 6.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 01:48 PM

    Please upload the vmware.log file for the failing VM (as an attachment).



  • 7.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 02:20 PM

    Attached all log files. Funnily enough, I started my VM again to see which log file was the latested in order to post... now the VM boots from the DVD & I can start the Windows setup. This is the first time in about 10 attempts - nothing has changed, the question is why? Also, is my VM safe to use productively?



  • 8.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 03:22 PM

    NX/XD is enabled.  I don't see anything that would explain the failures.



  • 9.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 03:41 PM

    I have managed to install Windows OK, with several reboots, without failure. Do you think it is safe to use this VM as a productive system? Is it worth updating my VMware host 5.0.0 (build 504890) to 1489271 (KB2065814 - Release name ESXi500-201401001)?


    Thanks again for your help.



  • 10.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2
    Best Answer

    Posted May 27, 2014 03:58 PM

    I would upgrade the ESX host to 1489271.  Then, I think I would feel comfortable using the VM in production.



  • 11.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 04:06 PM

    Should I update straight to 1489271 - is this a cumulative update? My version is dated 11/03/2011 & build 1489271 is dated 01/23/2014. There have also been an update01 through update03 - do I need to do these updates first? Finally, before the updates, should I make a complete backup of my Host (i.e. copy also VMs away) and what about my config?



  • 12.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 27, 2014 04:26 PM

    Please see http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2020972.



  • 13.  RE: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED installing Windows Server 2008 R2

    Posted May 28, 2014 07:46 AM

    @ jmattson - thanks for your help!