topic Re: USB Key Utility 3.0 Will Not Recognize USB Drives in ProLiant Servers (ML,DL,SL)

USB Key Utility 3.0 Will Not Recognize USB Drives

phenym — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 07:42:17 GMT

Trying to run the SPP on a new Gen10 v2 Microserver. I am trying to use the the USB Key Utility after unsuccessful attempts with Rufus and Balena Etcher.

My first problem comes with using the microserver with my high-res monitor. Solved that by using "nomodeset" in grub on USB bootup.

My next problem comes because when the SPP boots it stops with:

Starting initrd...
Warning !!! Unable to mount file system [cdrom]
Warning !!! Unable to mount file system
Preboot maintanance mode
/bin/ash: can't access tty: job controll turned off

Other posts describe using the HPE USB Key Utillity to create the USB drive (instead of Rufus or Etcher, like I tried).

But... the USB Key Utility refuses to recognize the USB drive in the system. I was using a Samsung 256GB USB Key. I thought maybe the utility ignored it because it thought it may be a system drive (because it's so large), so I bought a smaller 64GB model. Still does not recognize it. It DOES recognize smaller 4GB USB Keys I have... but those are too small for the SPP.

Is there a limitation on drive size when creating a USB Key with the HPE utility?

I am at my wits end.

Re: USB Key Utility 3.0 Will Not Recognize USB Drives

Suman_1978 — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 04:03:43 GMT

Hi,

USB Key utility is old, the last version was in 2017, if I am not wrong.
It says, "Minimum 1GB USB 2.0 flash drive (maximum size is 32GB)."

Have you tried the Online mode to install SPP?
There are other utilities available to make a USB key bootable.

Thank You!
I work with HPE but opinions expressed here are mine.
HPE Tech Tips videos on How To and Troubleshooting topics

Re: USB Key Utility 3.0 Will Not Recognize USB Drives

phenym — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 19:23:21 GMT

I was able to get the USB Key Utility to work (and the SPP successfully execute and update my server) after buying a 16GB USB drive.

It just seemed such an odd limitation to limit the drive size.

I am running Ubuntu Server 22.04. I did not take a look, but I am assuming the online method directly from linux is for RHEL only?

Re: USB Key Utility 3.0 Will Not Recognize USB Drives

Kashyap02 — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 01:56:21 GMT

Hi
You can deploy SPP online only windows and linux systems.
You can use the below commands to execute.

smartupdate /s /romonly - With this attribute, SUM only deploys firmware components needed for installation.
smartupdate /s /software only - With this attribute, SUM only deploys software components needed for installation.

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=a00026884en_us#N100A2

A Quick start Guide: https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=c03190790

Re: USB Key Utility 3.0 Will Not Recognize USB Drives

Chris_Baumann — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:49:26 GMT

same for me. 16 GB usb-stick works, 32 GB not