VMWare ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 Install on BL495c

[GaryP_2]

I am trying to install VMWare ESX Server 3i (Version 3.5.0 Update 4, build 152875) with HP embedded drivers on an HP BL495c.
The install gets as far as the screen shown in the attachment and reboots. From then on it just continues in this loading up then rebooting loop.
To troubleshoot this I have done the following:

1. Removed the NIC & Fibre mezzanine cards
2. Removed all memory so that I have a minimum 8GB
3. Disconnected one of the SSD drives so in case it was a problem with the two drives connected
4. Tried the standard ESX 3i (without HP), ESXi 4, ESXi3 (updates 2 & 3) ISO's with the same results.
5. Creating a bootable USB key from the ISO image and connecting it to the internal USB port

With all stages I get the same end result.

Has anyone else had this or would anyone be able to help me troubleshoot this problem?
I am clean out of ideas and feel as though I am just revisiting the same forums over and over and looking at the same threads.


Thanks!