You need to mount the vmdk r/w and modify the config file with matching SN/MAC. The exact path is somewhere in the thread (towards the begging).
Here is a link to get a matching SN/MAC: http://quickconnector.orgfree.com/index.php
Searching now, and going to burn down the VM. You are a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks
Apparently modifying the ESXi flavor of the VMDK file by mounting and editing it is a nonstarter. Hoping I have luck with SSH to do it live and apply on reboot