ESX host displays the message "Configuration changes were not saved successfully during previous shutdown"

Details

  • When you log into the ESX 3.x host service console, you see the message:

    Configuration changes were not saved successfully during previous shutdown.

    Note: This message is stored in /etc/motd and is generated by the /etc/init.d/vmware script whenesxcfg-boot -r returns an error when executed during a shutdown of the ESX host.
  • The log file /var/log/messages may show the following error messages:

    ERROR: Execution of '/sbin/vmware-mkinitrd -r -f -v /tmp/vmware.1.tmp '2.4.21-37.0.2.ELvmnix'' failed. See log messages above.
    ERROR: Could not write out new initrds.
  • initrd-2.4.21-37.0.2.ELvmnix.img in the /boot directory has a  size of zero

Solution

You need to recreate the initrd image file.
 
T o recreate the initrd image file:
  1. Start the system and select ESX troubleshooting mode.
  2. Log in as a user with administrative privileges.
  3. Run the commands:

    esxcfg-boot -b

    esxcfg-boot -p

    esxcfg-boot -r

    Based on VMware KB 1002503
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