ML350 Gen10 – Intelligent Provisioning keeps reinstalling every time F10 is pressed

[Brian_Dao]

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing an issue with Intelligent Provisioning on an HPE ML350 Gen10 and would appreciate any advice.

Background
Server: HPE ML350 Gen10
Original Intelligent Provisioning version: 3.6x
Current version: 3.91.6

Issue description
Every time I press F10 during boot, the server starts the Intelligent Provisioning installation process again, instead of launching the existing environment. This happens even though previous IP settings are still retained.

What I’ve done so far
Downloaded Intelligent Provisioning 3.91 ISO from HPE.
Mounted the ISO via iLO -> HTML5 Console -> Virtual Media -> CD/DVD -> Local ISO.
Rebooted the server and started the IP upgrade. The upgrade process stopped at around 2% and displayed an NVRAM error, then requested a reboot. After reboot: F10 Intelligent Provisioning was no longer accessible.
I cleared NVRAM using System Maintenance Switch 6 (ON). Server booted into Maintenance Mode, but became stuck on this screen for a long time and did not proceed.
Retried the process using a USB flash drive instead of Virtual Media. This allowed me to reinstall Intelligent Provisioning successfully.
However, the main issue remains:
Every time F10 is pressed, the system asks to reinstall Intelligent Provisioning again, even though configuration data appears to be preserved.
Tried clearing NVRAM a second time using Switch 6, but the server again hangs at the Maintenance Mode screen.

Could this indicate a corrupted IP partition, NVRAM issue, or system board problem?
Are there any recommended recovery or cleanup steps to permanently fix Intelligent Provisioning on Gen10 servers?

Any guidance or shared experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[Harshitha_K]

Hi @Brian_Dao ,

Please try this below steps:

1. Enable the F10 prompt
   F9 → RBSU → Server Security → Advanced Security Options → Intelligent Provisioning (F10 Prompt) = Enabled.
2. Temporarily turn off iLO FIPS mode
   If FIPS is on, IP may not launch; disable FIPS, launch IP, then re‑enable later.
3. Reinstall IP offline (no internet repo)
   Use latest Intelligent Provisioning Recovery Media 3.91 ISO via USB/iLO Virtual Media → run IP Recovery. Release notes warn of update loops via internet; offline install avoids this.
4. Update firmware from a local SPP/ISO
   In IP: Maintenance → Firmware Update → point to a mounted SPP (USB/ISO), not the online repository; reboot. This avoids hangs and completes dependencies cleanly.
5. Reset defaults (instead of switch‑6), only if needed
   F9 → Restore Default System Settings → reboot. If you must use switch‑6, follow HPE’s exact ON → boot message → OFF → cold power cycle sequence.

If it still reinstalls on F10: reflash iLO from the local repository, and make sure no SAN/iSCSI LUNs are presented during IP work.

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. Compaq ProLiant ML350 Server General Troubleshooting Guide

Please click on "Thumbs Up/Kudo" icon to give a "Kudo".

Thank you for being a HPE valuable community member.

[support_s]

Hello,

Let us know if you were able to resolve the issue.

If you are satisfied with the answers then kindly click the "Accept As Solution" button for the most helpful response so that it is beneficial to all community members.

Please click on "Thumbs Up/Kudo" icon to give a "Kudo".