How do I force an ISO to boot from VMware?

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

Following are instructions for using the VMWare Remote Console (VMRC) to install an operating system on your virtual machine (VM) from an ISO image stored on your local workstation. If you don't already have VMRC installed on your workstation, download and install it from IUware.

1. Use md5sum to make sure the ISO is uncorrupted, and then ensure that the ISO is bootable.
2. Right-click your VM, and then select . Launch the VMware Remote Console.
3. From the vsphere client, right-click the VM name, and click the option.

4. Click the tab, and then select and choose the option to force entry into the BIOS setup screen.

   The next time you power on the VM, it will enter the BIOS setup screen. From there you can change the BIOS boot order so the CD/DVD drive comes before the hard drive.

5. Click and turn on the VM. In the remote console, when the VMware startup screen appears, wait for the BIOS menu to appear.
6. In the BIOS menu, navigate to the "Boot" section. To move to the top, highlight with the arrow key, and then press the + (plus sign) until is at the top of the list.
7. Press Ctrl-Alt to move the cursor outside the BIOS menu, and then click the VMRC drop-down menu.
8. Select , and then select . Select the ISO file from your workstation.
9. Press F10 to confirm and save your changes. Your VM will reboot with the ISO attached, and the installation will start.
10. Continue through the installation prompts.

This is document azlh in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2021-05-24 10:19:05.

If you want to learn how to set VMware to boot from ISO image file, you will find the answer in the article. In the following part, this text will explain the steps for making a VMware boot from ISO image file in detail for your better understanding.

Steps to Set VMware to Boot from ISO Image File:

1. Open VMware Workstation, right-click a VMware ( here referred to Windows 7) and choose Settings, as exhibited in the screen shot below.

2. Select CD/DVD (IDE) in the Hardware menu, choose Connected, Connect at power on and Use ISO image file, then click Browse searching for the right file and hit OK.

3. Select VM, point at Power and hit Power On to BIOS, as the following screen shot shows.

4. Select Boot by → key and move CD-ROM Drive to the first order by + key as the BIOS Setup Utility interface appears.

5. Press F10 to save configuration changes and hit Enter to choose Yes and exit.

6. Select a Windows system and an user, and then click Reset Password to set a new code. Or click Add User to create a new user and password. After setting, hit Reboot.

After taking the 6 steps above, the VMware is successfully booted from the ISO image file.

Related Articles:

• Q & A about VMware Workstation
• VMware 9.0 Product Key Finder
• VMware Needs Virtualization Technology
• How to Add Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 to Windows 7 on VMware

Posted in VMware

Comments are currently closed.