topic Re: I can only boot from a USB stick in ProLiant Servers (ML,DL,SL)

I can only boot from a USB stick

GioSomma — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 22:56:53 GMT

My DL-380p Gen8 Server has 15x300GB SAS HDDs, in HBA mode so with the 15 separate disks.
I installed a 250GB M.2 on the internal USB.
From an external USB stick I launch the Debian 11 installation.

I tried to install it only on the first disk, but on boot it keeps launching only PXE.
Yet in the Setup I have set the IPL with:
1) USB Key
2) Disk C
while from the "boot Controller order" configuration I put SmartArray at the first item.

Even removing M.2 from the internal USB, it does not boot from the disk.

Not even choosing Disk C with F11 key.

I don't understand what it should do, the logic would like the USB to start first and if it's not there, the disks start.

Among other things, I don't understand why I can never use the USB on the front to boot.

Re: I cannot boot other than from USB.

ksram — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 08:56:10 GMT

Hi,

Please try using HP USB Key Utility and check.

Also press F11 during Boot and select One Time Boot menu to check if the USB option appears. This confirms if the USB is bootable.

Thank you

RamKS

Re: I cannot boot other than from USB.

GioSomma — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:32:06 GMT

I have to start it from the disks, not the USB.
I would like to install Proxmox 7 or Debian 11 on two disks in RAID1.
The 25 HDDs are seen upon installation, but are not recognized upon boot.

From some messages into forums I am afraid that with the HDDs in HBA I cannot boot from the disks, but if I cannot enter the SmartArray configuration I cannot even restore RAID1 on at least the 2 disks.

On boot I find this error:
Hardware RAID support is disabled via NVRAM Configuration Setting
Where do I enable Smart Array?

I tried with the F5 and F8 keys, but a graphic screen appears with the HP logo in the center, then only a black screen with the mouse cursor.

This is the server data:
Product Name ProLiant DL380p Gen8
Product ID 763483-B21
System ROM P70 05/24/2019
System ROM Date 05/24/2019
Backup System ROM P70 05/21/2018
iLO Firmware Version 2.55 Aug 16 2017
Smart Array P420i Controller Firmware 8.32

==== Update ====
I set microswitch # 6 to ON and restarted the server to reset everything. Then at boot the server asked me to turn it OFF.
At the new boot I found the access to the RAID configurator with F8, but now when I choose to create RAID1 I get the error message
Afatal Error has occorred
Command: 51
SCSI Status: 0000
Command Staus: 0004

The error
Hardware RAID support is disabled via NVRAM Configuration Setting
it is always present

With F5 the screen is still black with only mouse cursor

Re: I can only boot from a USB stick

GioSomma — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 15:14:35 GMT

There is to go crazy.
If I install the operating system on a USB 3.0 stick, it starts.
If, on the other hand, I install it on an NVMe mounted on a USB 3.0 adapter, this is not recognized by the Server.

Re: I can only boot from a USB stick

ksram — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:53:14 GMT

Hi @GioSomma ,

Thanks a lot for explaining and sharing the details again.

Here I suspect there should be some issues in either Controller or the Intelligent Proviosning.

I would suggest you to do the following :

> Clear NVRAM again (I understand this is performed, but lets do it again)

> Update the IP to next version or to the latest version.

> Delete and re-create Logical Drives using the HDDs. (Create all Logical Drives at once)

> Install the OS and check

If the issue still persists to launch the IP, lets do the below :

> Download SPP

> Use SPP and launch Smart Storage Administrator(SSA) from the SPP

> Delete and re-create Logical Drives using the HDDs.

> Install OS now and check.

Even after performing all these, if we are still unable to access IP, then its possible that the IP might be corrupted. However launching the SSA from SPP should help.

Thank you

RamKS

Re: I can only boot from a USB stick

GioSomma — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 09:39:19 GMT

> Update the IP to next version or to the latest version.
In the ILO Firmware version i see "Intelligent Provisioning 1.62.31", the he latest version that supports Gen8 server.
From the download page I find the recovery media version 1.61.
However, the usual operating systems are always reported: Windows, Red Hat, Suse and VMWare. I don't have any operating system installed and in any case I use Debian.

Re: I can only boot from a USB stick

ksram — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 01:21:30 GMT

Hi,

The Media file would be ISO image and it is independent of OS.

You may download the same ISO image and follow the installation instructions to flash this.

Thank you
RamKS