HPE MicroServer Gen10 Plus - cannot update BIOS/UEFI - USB not identified

[hess83704]

I have two (2) HPE MicroServer Gen10+. They are respectively on firmware versions V2.10 and V2.20.  I am attempting to update the firmware on these servers before installing operating systems on them.  Both servers have 32GB DRAM.  Neither server has an iLO interface (these servers are used for home / hobby purposes, and are not in a business or on a service contract).  Neither server has disks installed (yet).  Neither server is connected to a network.

Both have been reset to factory defaults (using the f7 key), and then the date / time has been correctly set for the local time zone.  No other configuration changges have been made to the BIOS / UEFI.  The only connections are to a VGA monitor, a USB keyboard, a USB mouse, and a USB thumb drive.  Mouse is connected to USB port 1, keyboard to port 2, and USB to Port 4 on the rear of the server.

I have loaded updated firmware on several different USB thumb drives, with the last being an HP branded 2GB 2.0 thumb drive (filename: U48_3.40_08_01_2024.signed.flash).  All thumb drives I've tried have been formatted to FAT32 on a Windows 11 laptop.  No thumb drive I have tried has worked.

After booting the server, I enter (f9), and go to SystemUtilities -> EmbeddedApplications -> SelectADeviceToUpdate -> FirmwareUpdate -> SelectAFirmwareFile -> FileExplorer -> FileSystemOnAttachedMedia

The USB file system is not displayed, and therefore the update file is not found.

Does anyone have any insight as to why this update method is not working?

My best to you,

-Kevin

[hess83704 · Accepted solution]

After some inspired troubleshooting, or dumb luck (you can independently decide for yourself), I have resolved my own problem.

If the USB drive is inserted prior to powering up the server, it will not be identified by the firmware.  If the system is booted up to the SystemUtilities (f9), and then the USB stick is inserted, the thumb drive is identified by the firmware, and the update file can be found.

The update proceeded correctly after the file was located on the thumb drive.

I cannot state if this non-identification of the USB thumb drive occurs on all versions of the HPE MicroServer Gen10 Plus firmware, but I can definately state I observerd this behavior on V2.10 and V2.20.

Thank you for taking the time to consider the problem.

My best to you,

-Kevin

[Sunitha_Mod]

@hess83704 

Hello Kevin, 

That's Awesome! 

We are extremely glad to know you were able to find the solution and we appreciate you for for keeping us updated.