FAQ #: 109
Server Will Not Reboot With a USB Hard Drive.
If you have tried plugging up a USB hard drive or flash drive and now your server will not boot with it plugged, up you may need to change a setting in the BIOS of the server. First, start out by unplugging the USB device and the try booting the server again. If it boots without the USB device present, then you know that this is what is causing your problem. Then shut the server down and start it back up. When it is booting up, watch for a message that tells you how to enter the BOIS or Configuration. For example, on IBM x206 series servers, it is the F1 key. Press this key to enter the BIOS configuration. This setting could vary by machine type but on an IBM x206 series server, choose "Devices and I/O Ports", then "USB Setup". Set the option "Legacy USB Support" to "Disabled". On some servers, the "Legacy USB Support" may be under a different menu, it may be under "Start Up Options". DO NOT disable general USB usage -- may sure it says "Legacy USB Support". Disabling general USB usage will keep your USB keyboards and mouse from working as well. Press to exit out of the sub-menus until you return to the main BIOS menu. Then Save your settings, then Exit the BIOS. Now try plugging back in your USB device and rebooting the server to see if it will boot with t he USB device connected. This is needed for users switching to USB based backups like is becoming more common to replace tape drives.