Installing Windows XP 64 bit (AMD64, x64) without crashes on VWware Workstation or ESX

Honestly, I cannot possibly guarantee “without errors”, but after I spent the better part of a weekend to install Windows XP 64 bit properly, I’d figure, let’s share my findings. Here’s how you can prevent quite some frustrations with installing 64 bit Windows XP on a VMware virtual machine.

Summary

To install Windows XP 64 bit you cannot use the BusLogic adapter which poses a problem on driver compatibility.

Even when you follow the instructions from VMware or the step-by-step instructions in my previous post on installing the SCSI disk drivers, you’ll keep getting the following error:

Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in our computer.

Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected
to your computer, and that any disk-related hardware configuration is
correct. This may involve running a manufacturer-supplied diagnostic
or setup program.

Setup cannot continue. To quit Setup, press F3.

The solution is to install a third party driver, which you need to wrap in a *.FLP-image and connect to the virtual machine as explained in this post (which contains some out-of-date information). So, I’ve made it easy for you, I’ve created a floppy disk image of the driver and provided it here to download for your convenience.

Some warnings and advices before you get started

Before you get started, take note of the following, they may seem obvious, but may also save you hours of trouble:

• Don’t ever install 32 bit on a 64 bit system or vice versa. They will inevitably end you up in a blue screen of death (BSOD).
• When you use a Windows XP installation that has all service packs and hot fixes already applied in the installation package, do not type F6 to install a 3rd party LSI driver during install. These installation packages already have all drivers available and installing a different one will give you a BSOD after installation.
• I believe the previous is also true for a Windows XP 64 bit SP2 installation disk, but couldn’t test it.
• If you only have Windows XP SP1, or without any SP, check the step-by-step instructions below.

If you receive the following error during the first phase of the installation, you are missing the correct SCSI driver, see below:

Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer.

Step by step installation instructions, including correct SCSI driver

The follow order of installation worked for me repeatedly. For more detailed instructions, please check my more verbose post on the subject, it provides a more thorough step-by-step instruction for Windows XP 32 bit, including some trouble shooting tips.

Step 1: download the correct FLP image for the 64 bit LSI SCSI driver

Many sites appeared to link to just as many drivers. Many links were dead and searching on lsi.com didn’t quite help. Most modern drivers seem to fail, so you need an older driver, which they don’t offer at LSI Ltd anymore.

To make live a bit easier, I decided to offer you the working driver as an FLP download myself, give it a try:

•  Download PCI Fusion-MPT Miniport Driver FLP Image 64 bit (608)

Before I found the correct driver, I had tried, and tried, and tried and tried and tried, and tried and tried and tried and tried and tried and tried and tried and tried and tried (hover for info on each link) … literally all over the place and everywhere I tried, until I finally found a working driver and another working driver. If my FLP image doesn’t work for you, click one of these “tried”-links, they may work for you

Step 2: create virtual machine

Just select Windows XP 64 bit as operating system and accept the defaults (you can change any default, as long as you leave the default SCSI bus  alone). Then:

1. Place the FLP file of the previous step in the same directory where you place your VMs (otherwise it won’t be visible);
2. Select Settings and go to the Floppy drive;
3. Click Browse, select the image, select “Connect at power on”
4. Go to cdrom drive, select the XP image or cdrom and select “Connect at power on”

Step 3: change boot order

This saves you from getting the NTLDR missing error because it will first try to start from the floppy disk:

1. Rightclick your VM and select Power > Power On to BIOS;
2. In the BIOS menu, select Boot order;
3. Change the boot order as in the screenshot (or at least put the floppy behind cdrom);
4. Exit BIOS with F10 to save settings.

Step 4: start installation and install LSI driver

Power on the VM and press F6 when the following screen appears and select the driver (this is equal to step 4 for Windows 32 bit, if you need more detailed info, check there too).

Step 5: sit back and enjoy your coffee or beer

You should be fine. Just follow the default instructions of the installation and you should be fine. So enjoy your well-deserved beer