Cannot get vmware to boot from anything other than network

Hi,

I have a new install of ESXI 5.1

I can create a vitual machine, but I cannot get it to boot from either cd-rom or from a iso image on the local disk.

It always tries to boot from the network.

I have tried hitting ESC during boot, and connecting the cdrom device to both of the above mentioned, and then selecting the cd-rom on the boot menu.

It still only tries to boot from the network.

I have tried removing the network device from the virtual machine before booting. No luck.

I have tried both a windows 2012 standard and a windows 2008 R2 disk. No luck.

I have read a number of knowledge base articles and nothing is working.

Any help would be appreciated.