Configuring an ESX/ESXi host to restart after becoming unresponsive with a purple diagnostic screen
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Configuring an ESX/ESXi host to restart after becoming unresponsive with a purple diagnostic screen

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Article ID: 345100

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides instructions on how to configure an ESX/ESXi host to automatically restart after becoming unresponsive with a purple diagnostic screen.

Environment

VMware ESX Server 3.5.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Installable
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5
VMware ESX 4.0.x

Resolution

Note: The default and VMware recommended setting is to leave the host in an unresponsive state with the purple diagnostic screen displayed on the console screen to aid in troubleshooting.

This default behavior can be modified in cases where an automatic reboot is desired.

To modify the default behavior:
  1. Connect to the host via the command line using Secure Shell (SSH) or the direct console.

    Note: For more information see Using Tech Support Mode in ESXi 4.1 and ESXi 5.x (1017910).

  2. Run the command:
esxcfg-advcfg -s seconds /Misc/BlueScreenTimeout
Where seconds is a numerical value. For example:
esxcfg-advcfg -s 120 /Misc/BlueScreenTimeout


Additional Information



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