To configure the Lenovo x3650 M5 server to always automatically boot from USB if it is present, and to rewrite with any changes, follow these precise steps:
Step 1: Prepare and Insert Bootable USB
- Create your bootable USB drive with the desired OS or tool.
- Insert the USB drive into a USB port on the Lenovo x3650 M5.
Step 2: Enter BIOS Setup
- Power off the server.
- Power on and press F1 repeatedly at POST to enter BIOS setup.
Step 3: Set USB Drive as Primary Boot Device
- Go to the Boot tab in BIOS.
- Select Boot Manager or Boot Device Priority.
- Locate your USB drive in the list of boot devices.
- Move the USB drive to the top of the boot order list (first boot device).
- Disable or lower the priority of other boot devices such as HDD/SSD to ensure USB boots first.
Step 4: Enable USB Boot Support
- Navigate to Devices and I/O Ports or similar.
- Ensure USB Boot Support or Legacy USB Support is Enabled.
- This allows the BIOS to detect and boot from USB drives.
Step 5: Enable Fast Boot (Optional but Recommended)
- Still in the Boot tab, find Fast Boot option.
- Set Fast Boot to Enabled to speed up POST checks.
Step 6: Save and Exit BIOS
- Press F10 to save changes.
- Confirm to exit BIOS.
- The server will reboot and try to boot from USB first every time.
Step 7: Configure the USB Boot Environment
- To have the USB boot environment rewrite or update itself if there are changes, ensure the USB boot media itself supports auto-update or persistency.
- Alternatively, use Lenovo Bootable Media Creator (BoMC) or a custom script on the server or USB media to rewrite boot contents if updated files are detected.
Additional Notes:
- The Boot Manager accessed by pressing F12 at power-on can temporarily select boot device, but setting USB as first boot in BIOS is permanent.
- If USB fails to boot, BIOS will move on to next device automatically, so ensure fallback devices are ready.
- For unattended or auto-updating USB boot media, automation outside BIOS is needed (e.g., update scripts on USB or via network).
Here is the step-by-step process to configure an IBM Lenovo xSeries x3650 server with RAID to automatically boot from USB each time, applying the changes as needed:
Step 1: Prepare Bootable USB
- Create a bootable USB drive with the desired OS or recovery tools.
- Insert the USB drive into an available USB port on the x3650 server.
Step 2: Enter BIOS Setup Utility
- Power off the server.
- Power on and immediately press F1 repeatedly during POST to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
Step 3: Confirm RAID Boot Settings
- In BIOS, navigate to the Storage or Integrated RAID Controller menu.
- Ensure the RAID array is set as bootable and correctly configured.
- The RAID volume will usually be set as the primary boot device unless changed.
Step 4: Modify Boot Priority to USB
- Go to the Boot Manager or Boot Priority menu.
- Identify the USB drive in the list of boot devices.
- Use options to Add or Move USB drive to highest priority so it boots first.
- If USB is not listed, enable USB Legacy Support or USB Boot options in the Devices and I/O Ports or Advanced settings.
Step 5: Manage USB Boot Options (if applicable) — IBM x3650 Specific
- If multiple USB drives or special USB devices are present, ensure distinct vendor IDs to avoid boot conflicts.
- Use the Boot Manager to Add Boot Options for the physical USB device:
- Plug USB in.
- Go to Boot Manager > Add Boot Options.
- Choose Physical Presence Device, select your USB.
- Delete other USB boot options if necessary.
- Adjust Boot Order accordingly.
Step 6: Enable Fast Boot (Optional)
- In the Boot menu, find the Fast Boot option and set it to Enabled to speed up boot time.
Step 7: Save and Exit BIOS
- Press F10 to save changes and exit BIOS.
- Confirm to reboot the server.
Step 8: Confirm USB Auto Boot
- Upon reboot, with the USB USB connected, the server should boot from the USB automatically.
- If USB is not detected, BIOS will move to the next boot device (usually the RAID volume).
Step 9: For Persistent Auto-Rewrite on USB
- The rewriting/updating of USB content is outside BIOS control. You must set up the USB media or server scripts to refresh or rewrite USB contents when changes occur (e.g., scripts on server or specialized boot media like Lenovo Bootable Media Creator).
This process works similarly for x3650 M3, M4, and M5 models with RAID controllers, though BIOS interface layout may vary slightly. The key is prioritizing USB device boot and ensuring USB legacy boot support is enabled when using USB drives.
If needed, the pre-boot F12 Boot Manager can be used to manually select USB devices temporarily without changing BIOS settings.
Would you want detailed instructions on setting up Lenovo Bootable Media Creator or scripts for automatic USB rewrite?