Hi all.
I am trying to install, and update, a Windows XP SP3 machine under ESXi 5.1.0, but Windows Update doesn't work properly.
The first problem is that the machine sticks on the "Checking for the latest updates for your computer..." screen for a LONG time (about 1 hour). It does eventually pass this stage and successfully downloads all the updates, but then the Windows Genuine Advantage installer freezes with the progress bar at about 75%. The VM never recovers from this freeze - the only way out is to kill the process, which of course aborts the Windows Update, so none of the other updates get installed.
I've tried both with and without VMware Tools installed, and with and without the Windows Firewall enabled, on a fresh install from the original CD every time - always the same problems.
A VM built from the same installation CD under VMware Player on Windows works flawlessly.
Any ideas? Or is it just not possible to run Windows Update on a Windows XP VM under ESXi 5.1.0?