Encountering issues while trying to install Ubuntu Server in a VMware virtual machine can be frustrating. Often, users attempting to set up a virtual environment for development, testing, or server deployment on platforms like VMware ESXi may face unexpected roadblocks. One common problem reported is the failure of Ubuntu Desktop installations within VMware, even when the intention is to ultimately run Ubuntu Server. This article delves into troubleshooting steps to resolve these “Ubuntu Server Fail To Install In Vmware” scenarios, specifically focusing on issues encountered during Ubuntu Desktop installations that often precede server setups in virtual environments.
Understanding the Installation Failure
Many users, like the one described in the original post, experience crashes during the Ubuntu Desktop installation process within VMware. The installation might abruptly halt at stages like the “Where are you?” screen, leading to the virtual machine seemingly reverting to a “Try Ubuntu” state rather than completing the full installation. This can occur across different Ubuntu Desktop versions (e.g., 20.04, 22.04, and 22.10) on VMware ESXi environments, even when other operating systems like CentOS or even Ubuntu Server editions install without issue.
The original user described their VM configuration as follows:
CPU : 2 Core per socket : 2 (sockets : 1)
Memory : RAM : 8Go
Hard disk 1 : 96 Go
Network adapter 1 : VMXNET 3
Video card : default
This configuration, while seemingly adequate, might still be susceptible to certain compatibility or configuration nuances within VMware that can trigger installation failures.
Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Steps
When faced with an “ubuntu server fail to install in vmware” problem manifesting as a Desktop installation crash, consider these potential causes and troubleshooting steps:
1. ISO Image Integrity
A corrupted ISO image is a prime suspect in installation failures. Even if the download process appears successful, the ISO file might be incomplete or damaged.
Troubleshooting:
- Verify Checksum: Download the SHA256 checksum file for your Ubuntu Desktop ISO from the official Ubuntu releases website. Use a checksum utility to compare the SHA256 hash of your downloaded ISO against the official checksum. If they don’t match, redownload the ISO image.
- Try a Different Download Source: If the checksum is valid, the issue might be with the specific mirror you downloaded from. Try downloading the ISO from a different official Ubuntu mirror.
2. VMware Hardware Compatibility Settings
VMware ESXi offers various hardware compatibility settings for virtual machines, designed to optimize performance and compatibility with different guest operating systems and ESXi versions. Incorrect settings can sometimes lead to installation problems.
Troubleshooting:
- VMware Compatibility Guide: While the original user consulted the VMware Compatibility Guide, it’s worth revisiting. Ensure that the chosen hardware compatibility setting for your VM is appropriate for both your ESXi version and the Ubuntu Desktop version you are trying to install. Sometimes, using a slightly older hardware compatibility version can resolve unexpected issues.
- Hardware Version Adjustment: In the VM settings, experiment with different hardware compatibility versions. If you are using the latest hardware version, try downgrading to a previous version (e.g., vmx-17 to vmx-16). Conversely, if using an older version, upgrading might be beneficial.
- Virtualization Engine Settings: Within the CPU settings of your VM, examine the “Hardware virtualization” settings. Ensure “Hardware virtualization” is enabled and set to “Automatic” or “Use Intel VT-x/AMD-V” (or the equivalent for your processor). Inconsistent virtualization settings can lead to instability during OS installation.
3. Resource Allocation Issues
Insufficient resources allocated to the virtual machine can cause installation processes to fail, especially for desktop environments which tend to be more resource-intensive than minimal server installations.
Troubleshooting:
- Memory (RAM): While 8GB of RAM should be sufficient for Ubuntu Desktop, temporarily increasing it to 10-12GB for the installation process might help rule out memory constraints as a cause. After installation, you can reduce it if needed.
- CPU Cores: Two CPU cores are generally adequate. However, ensure that the ESXi host itself has sufficient CPU resources available. If the host is heavily loaded, it might impact VM performance and stability during installation.
- Disk Space: 96GB of disk space is ample for a basic Ubuntu Desktop installation. Disk space is less likely to be the immediate cause of a crash at the “Where are you?” screen, but ensure the virtual disk is properly configured and has sufficient free space.
- Disk Controller Type: While the user is using “LSI Logic Parallel,” consider experimenting with “VMware Paravirtual SCSI” controller, which is often recommended for modern guest operating systems for better performance.
4. VMware Tools (Pre-installation Considerations)
Although VMware Tools are typically installed after the guest OS installation, in some rare cases, issues related to VMware Tools compatibility (or lack thereof during the initial installation phase) can indirectly contribute to problems.
Troubleshooting:
- Ensure Latest VMware ESXi Patches: Keep your VMware ESXi host updated with the latest patches and updates from VMware. This ensures you have the latest drivers and compatibility fixes, which can indirectly resolve issues related to guest OS installations.
- VMware Tools Installation ISO (For Advanced Cases): In very specific scenarios, and as a highly advanced step, you could try attaching a VMware Tools ISO image during the initial installation process. However, this is generally not recommended for standard Ubuntu Desktop installations and should only be considered if other troubleshooting steps are exhausted and you have a strong understanding of VMware Tools. In most cases, focus on installing VMware Tools after the base OS installation is successful.
5. Ubuntu Desktop Specific Issues
While the error is framed as “ubuntu server fail to install in vmware,” the problem is specifically with Ubuntu Desktop. There might be graphical subsystem related issues during the desktop installation process.
Troubleshooting:
- Try Ubuntu Server Installation: As the user mentioned successfully installing Ubuntu Server, try installing Ubuntu Server again as a test. If Ubuntu Server installs without issues, this further points towards a Desktop-specific problem.
- Alternative Desktop Environments (Advanced): While less common now, in the past, certain desktop environments had compatibility issues within VMs. If you are comfortable with advanced steps, you could attempt to install Ubuntu Server first, and then install a different desktop environment (like XFCE or LXQt) instead of the standard GNOME desktop, to see if a specific desktop environment component is causing the crash. This is a very advanced step and usually not necessary for recent Ubuntu versions.
- “Safe Graphics” Boot Option: When booting from the Ubuntu Desktop ISO, explore the GRUB menu options. There might be a “Safe Graphics” or similar boot option. Selecting this can sometimes bypass graphical driver issues during the initial installation phase, allowing the installation to proceed.
Conclusion: Systematic Troubleshooting is Key
Resolving “ubuntu server fail to install in vmware” issues, especially when they manifest as Ubuntu Desktop installation failures, requires a systematic approach. By methodically checking ISO integrity, VMware hardware compatibility, resource allocation, and considering potential Ubuntu Desktop-specific factors, you can pinpoint the root cause and implement the appropriate solution. Often, ensuring ISO integrity and verifying VMware hardware compatibility settings are the most effective first steps. Remember to test incrementally after each troubleshooting step to isolate the problem effectively.
