USB Restore key issues

[Mike-Sutton]

Hi I've got a corrupt client DCE 7.4.3 i have a backup to rebuild but when i try to create the USB Restore Key i get the following

Processing archive: c:\tmp\restore-7.4.3.26.iso

Extracting images\TRANS.TBL
Extracting images\install.img
Extracting isolinux\TRANS.TBL
Extracting isolinux\boot.cat
Extracting isolinux\boot.msg
Extracting isolinux\initrd.img
Extracting isolinux\isolinux.bin
Extracting isolinux\isolinux.cfg
Extracting isolinux\splash.lss
Extracting isolinux\vmlinuz
Extracting ks.cfg

Everything is Ok
Copying files to f:...
1 file(s) copied.
1 file(s) copied.
1 file(s) copied.
1 file(s) copied.
1 file(s) copied.
1 file(s) copied.
1 file(s) copied.
Writing MBR: Access is denied.
Did not successfully update the MBR; continuing...
Cleaning up...
Done!

I am running cmd as administrator as you can see any clues???

TIA

Mike

[spezialist]

Dear @Mike-Sutton,

Please read carefully topic https://community.exchange.se.com/t5/EcoStruxure-IT-forum/Tips-to-create-DCE-Server-USB-Restore-Key-...

With respect. 

[Mike-Sutton]

I Have hence why i put I am running CMD as administrator do you have any other advice??

[spezialist]

Dear @Mike-Sutton ,

Please show a full screenshot of your actions since opening cmd as Administrator. That is, the screenshot is similar to the one published in post https://community.exchange.se.com/t5/EcoStruxure-IT-forum/Tips-to-create-DCE-Server-USB-Restore-Key-... .

This should help us solve your problem.

With respect.

[Mike-Sutton]

the process i typed is the same you can see on the pic in original question shows i am running as administrator. I have done this before no problems but now its not passing the MBR phase. i have been a certified software engineer for 10+ years and i have already tried all the links you are sharing..

Can anyone think of something that im missing??

Cheers,

Mike

[spezialist]

Dear @Mike-Sutton ,

Okay, then at least three points must be checked:

1. Make sure that you are indeed a PC Administrator. If your PC is managed by GPO, then perhaps you are no longer an Administrator? In the same cmd window where you want to create USB restore key, try to create any text file in the C:\Windows directory. Will you manage to do that?
2. If you have antivirus running on your PC, try to disable it. As practice shows, often antivirus software really blocks the user from manipulating the MBR. This is a justified protection for your PC.
3. Try another USB flash drive that is at least 4GB in size and has FAT32, as the instructions rightly point out.

I hope this helps you.

With respect.

[GavanOB]

Hi Mike,

This isn't the official way to creating the USB but you can use a program like RUFUS, just select the iso and the usb.

https://rufus.ie/

-Gavan

[Mike-Sutton]

Hi Gavan,

Tried this this morning using latest version of rufus 3.11 i was able to create a usb key but this still doesnt work the DCE dosnt recognise the USB... updated the BIOS and the iDrac FW so my last option is to install over iDRAC do you know if this is achievable??

Cheers,

Mike

[GavanOB]

Hi Mike,

I'm not sure what model of iDrac is include with the different variations of DCE over the years but if the version of iDrac supports virtual media then it should be possible but slow. 

I believe there is a setting that needs to be changed in the BIOS to allow you to boot from USB but I don't know it off hand, do you have a USB DVD drive, I know they are treated different and should work without issue.

-Gavan

[Mike-Sutton]

yeah it F11 then chose 1 time boot from location and thats the issue i have, the USB doesnt come up as a location??  i can access the usb files through bios upgrade so they are there just not for a restore??

Cheers,

Mike

[GavanOB]

Do you have access to a Linux machine? maybe try the Linux USB creator? but the best solution would be to use an external DVD drive.

[Mike-Sutton · Accepted solution]

I managed to solve the issue by running Windows 7 as a VM on my laptop and this created the USB Restore Key 1st time.

Is this going to be addresed as not all people will be able to use the same solution?

Cheers,

Mike

[APC_Steve · Accepted solution]

Hi @Mike-Sutton 

Thanks for sharing your resolution!

I haven't seen happen regularly this but I'm assuming you're running Windows 10. It could still be due to something specific to the rights / policies on that system. I know you're an admin and running it as admin but I would expect to see this more often if it was an incompatibility with the OS in general.
I'm also assuming you're running the USB key utility that came with 7.4.3 which, as with any other older software of this type, is not going to be tested with newer operating systems going forward. 

Still, I'm going to share this with engineering and I'm assuming with the next revision they can test the USB creation batch file on Windows 10 if they're not already. 

Thanks,

Steve

[APC_Steve · Accepted solution]

P.S.

The current revisions are tested on Windows 10. It was mentioned that 4g USB keys seem to work best but since you got it working on your Windows 7 system, I'm going to assume that that's not the issue here. Let me know if you have any other questions.