Windows 95 VM "Windows protection error"

Just "ghosted" a DELL Optiplex windows 95 pc into a VM (ESX 3.0.1). When we power on the VM it gives Windows 95 spalsh screen and seems to boot but stops with "Windows Protection Error".

Safe mode did boot ok once after this but VM now no longer boots.

Is there a proper documeted way to "convert" a Windows 95 VM into ESX 3.0.1?

Is it possible to have IDE controller in ESX 3.0.1 rather than LSI/Buslogic??

Any help greatly appreciated.