ProLiant DL20 | Can't boot from USB drive - can't install SPP iso from iLO5

[cMAYK]

Hello,

I recently picked up a HPE ProLiant DL20 Gen10 server to use in my homelab, and immediately noticed that the system would not boot from a USB flash drive. I did a bit of searching and confirmed that the BIOS settings were configured properly but I just couldn't get it to work.

In an attempt to resolve this issue, I've been trying to install the HPE Gen10 SPP package, as recommended on another HPE forum post with a similar issue. However since the BIOS fails to interact with the USB on start up, I attempted to flash my SSD with the SPP ISO package. After running off of the SSD I am met with the following:
Starting initrd
Warning!! Unable to mount the file system [cdrom]
Warning!! Unable to mount the file system
Preboot maintenence mode
/bin/ash: can't access tty; job control turned off

Doing a quick search suggests that the issue might be due to using Rufus to flash the ISO instead of the bundled usbkey tool. Well, the BIOS doesn't recognize USBs and the usbkey tool can't flash to my SSD via the SATA to USB cable I've been using because Windows classifies the SSD differently than a USB flash drive.

Some forum posts suggest using iLO 5 and booting from virtual media. I'm not familiar with iLO, but I created a user account and signed in. At first I attempted to give the virtual media my curl link for the download, but that didn't seem to do anything and the PC wouldn't access the ISO at all. So I then attempted to open the HTML5 console and load a local .iso file, but I am met with a vague error saying "Unable to connect, unable to connect to drive."

I'm really at a loss for what to do here, it has been a nightmare trying to navigate HPE to find firmware and drivers and I would really like to avoid bricking a new system. As someone who works with a lot of consumer PC parts and builds computers as a hobby, this has been hilariously troubling to work through.
I would appreciate any help I can get.

[shiva_jr]

Hi cMAYK,
     If rufus is not working. Pleae try with USBKey or Ventoy.  Please refer this post.
   Please make a note of following-

* To run the SPP, it is better to keep the .iso file handy to USB, otherwise, bootable USB creation may take longer and get corrupt.
* Sometimes you may forget to make it bootable.
* Since the SPP is large ISO image, it may take long time to create bootable USB.

Regards,
Shiva_JR
Please give KUDOS and mark as 'Accepted solution' if my post worked.

[cMAYK]

Hello, thank you for your reply

I would like to reitterate, my system does not recognize USB devices in BIOS. As I mentioned in my post, I have checked my BIOS settings, I've tried multiple confirmed working drives and none of them work.

[Cali]

Hi,

in general, it works fine, I'm doing this daily without a problem.
Using rufus or ventoy.
Check this: For additional security, external USB functionality can be disabled through USB options in UEFI System Utilities.
And be sure, that you are not using the iLO USB Port.
But also iLO ISO Mount should work?
Something strange here.
Try to reset BIOS/UEFI Setting.
From Manual:

This server provides two Boot Mode configurations: UEFI Mode and Legacy BIOS Mode. Certain boot options require that you select a
specific boot mode. By default, the boot mode is set to UEFI Mode. The system must boot in UEFI Mode to use certain options,
including:
Secure Boot, UEFI Optimized Boot, Generic USB Boot,

Cali

[cMAYK]

Hello, thanks for your reply

I've confirmed the settings in my BIOS multiple times, I double checked that USB settings are properly configured and that the system boots in UEFI. I have tried all USB ports because I know some servers have limited front I/O but I still can't get anything.
I also attempted restoring the system to manufacturers settings, as well as flipping the on board maintenence switch #6 and booting, neither of those resolved the issue.

I have managed to install the SPP via a Windows 10 installation and opening the ISO package directly in the OS. After installing, while USB functionality in BIOS still does not work, I am now able to use virtual media through iLO 5 without error.