VMware ESXi on Mac Pro 3,1

Installing VMware ESXi on Apple hardware can be tricky, especially on older hardware. This page describes how to get a modern (ish) version of ESXi to work correctly on a Mac Pro 3,1 (early 2008).

To start you will need a free VMware account and access to https://my.vmware.com/

Downloading ESXi

1. Go to https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=ESXI650&productId=614 and log in if required
2. Select "6.5.0" in the Select Version dropdown
3. Next to "VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi ISO) image (Includes VMware Tools)" click Download Now

   You will now have the file "VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.5.0-4564106.x86_64.iso" (sha1 4b71e69c606a54ae1c4b34341e341f1f6786d7b2)

4. Burn the ISO image to a CD or DVD disc, or use a tool like rufus or Etcher to create a bootable USB stick.

Installing ESXi

1. Power on your Mac Pro and hold Option until the boot device selection appears
2. Insert the CD/DVD/USB stick for ESXi
3. Select EFI Boot on the right using the arrow keys or mouse and press return

   

4. The ESXI Installer will now start

   

5. The installer will take 5-10 minutes to fully load

   

   

6. Once loaded press Enter to continue

   

7. Press F11 (volume down) to confirm you have read the EULA

   

8. The installer will now scan for disks

   

9. Select the disk you would like to install to and press Enter