USB, ODD and FDD storage with unexpected boot sequence - IBM iDataPlex dx360 M4 2U chassis (7913), iDataPlex dx360 M4 server (7912)

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H205384

Symptom

In some situations, changes to the boot sequence may not work when the Universal Serial Bus (USB) optical disk drive (ODD), floppy disk drive (FDD), and the Storage boot options are added without making changes to the first boot device.

For example, if using the following boot sequence and only USB FDD has bootable device installed

The system should boot to USB FDD. But sometimes the system cannot boot to USB FDD.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• iDataPlex dx360 M4 2U chassis, type 7913, any model
• iDataPlex dx360 M4 server, type 7912, any model

This tip is not software specific.

This tip is not option specific.

The following system BIOS or UEFI level(s) are affected:

• TDE112DUS, version 1.00
  

Solution

This behavior will be corrected in a future release of Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) version 1.01 or later.

The target date for this release is scheduled for second quarter 2012.

The file is or will be available by selecting the appropriate Product group, type of System, Product name, Product machine type, and operating system on IBM Support's Fix Central web page, at the following URL:

• http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral

Workaround

Change the USB devices to the first boot option and then the system will boot to the USB devices as expected.

1. Press F1 to access the UEFI setup menu.
   
2. Select Boot Manager and change Boot Order.
   
3. Select First Boot Option to change the USB devices.
   

Additional information

UEFI is mishandling the USB devices boot sequence. The symptom will be fixed by second quarter UEFI code release.