Target Devices Failing to boot, hanging at "Starting Windows"
Wireshark trace shows Single IO phase of boot but BNIStack driver does not get loaded and no MIO Phase starts

To resolve this issue, change the Virtual Device Node for the CD/DVD Media from SATA to IDE and remove the SATA controller.
This must be performed prior to installing the operating system.


Complete the following steps:

1. While creating a New Virtual Machine from vSphere Web Client, under Edit Settings -> Customize hardware -> Virtual Hardware, change the Virtual Device Node from SATA to IDE for CD/DVD Media.
2. After selecting the corresponding IDE radio Button
3. Remove option for New SATA Controller becomes active.
   • Remove it by clicking the "X". Refer to the following screen shot:

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Problem Cause

ESXi VM Hardware version 10 and 11 include a SATA controller for CD/DVD Media by default.
If the SATA and SCSI controller are present on the PVS Target Device, the target will fail to boot.
PVS relies on the SCSI controller, SATA is the only one that can be removed.
The customer in this instance had a SATA CD/ROM on Template and Target Devices.

Note: This only applies to BIOS boot.  UEFI is not affected.

Note : Applicable for all versions