On the phone with IBM on the phone;
I downgraded the host firmware/BIOS from 1.73 to 1.51 (matches my older x3650 M4 7915 host servers) and made sure boot-mode is still set to 'legacy only'. I booted from the VMware 5.5 DVD installer and I was able to get past 'initializing scheduler' and processors. But it halted with a purple screen the resembled a dump which referenced PCPU and stated no where to dump data. I verified the storage controllers were configured and logical drives were online.
I proceeded to then try VMware image 5.1 DVD and it continues to hang at 'initializing scheduler..'
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Download 1.51 firmware/bios here: http://www-933.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/systemx/downloadFixes?parent=System%2Bx3650%2BM4&product=ibm/systemx/7915&&platform=All&function=fixId&fixids=ibm_fw_uefi_vve134t-1.51_anyos_32-64&includeRequisites=1&includeSupersedes=0&downloadMethod=http
I am SO frustrated at this point...
Any help please?