Greetings! I have seen similar problems reported in threads dated 2011 so I thought I better start a new one.
I am trying to install ESXi 6.0 U3 on a Proliant DL380 Gen7, which, according to the VMware compatibility guide should work:
I installed VMware-ESXi-6.0.0-Update3-9313334-HPE-preGen9-600.9.8.5.4-Sep2018.iso onto a USB 2.0 stick using Rufus and the installation proceeds fairly well:
Until, of course, the following happens after pressing F11 to agree to the EULA:
This particular server has 4 x 1G Ethernet ports + the magic iLO 3. I tried the process by having a good cable connected to both types (in an attempt to 'drive' the installer's attention to that socket) but the result was the same.
I opened the server and managed to get the details from the only Broadcom chip I could easily see: BCM5709CC0KPBG TN1149 P21 175676 P3
Would a kind soul enlighten this poor beginner?