Create a .bat file with following script: net start MSSQL$SQLEXP_VIM ping 127.0.0.1 -n 120 -w 1000 > null net start vpxd Note: for SQL Server substitute MSSQLSERVER in the above batch file instead of MSSQL$SQLEXP_VIM. Set script to run on boot. via communities.vmware.com In one of my VirtualCenter servers, a Windows XP machine, the VirtualCenter Server service often fails to start because it tries to run before the MSSQL server is fully initialized.

Trying to install Windows XP within VMWare ESX and getting the following error message? "Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer." The reason for this is that the necessary hard disk controller drivers have not been installed. via techhead.co.uk Useful information and links for installing XP VMs on a VMware ESX server.