VMware - Boot VM to BIOS

 

Intro:

Following initialization, VMware virtual machines typically lack a default delay period for key presses to access the BIOS. Occasionally, it becomes necessary to access the virtual machine BIOS for reconfiguration purposes.

How To:

Edit the .VMX file of the vm in question and add one of the following options to the top line:

"bios.bootDelay" is a permanent option until removed from the .VMX file. It adds a delay to the initial POST screen, showing it for longer and giving you more time to access the BIOS setup, where xxxx is the number of milliseconds to show the POST screen. The maximum value for the boot delay is 10000 milliseconds or 10 seconds.

bios.bootDelay = "xxxx"

or

bios.forceSetupOnce = "TRUE"



Workstation 7.x and later:

To enter the BIOS setup for the guest operating system, click VM ➡ Power ➡ Power On to BIOS

Note: For newer Workstation versions, click VM ➡ Power ➡ Power On to Firmware


More Info:

For ESXi and Fusion check out the link below:

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1004129



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