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

From VMware Knowledge Base:

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 when esxcfg-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
   The message does not appear on the next ESX host reboot.