HPE USB Key Utility

Published: March 2016
Edition: 1

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Using the HPE USB Key Utility

The HPE USB Key Utility is a Windows application that copies Intelligent Provisioning or HPE SPP contents, and other CD or DVD images to a USB flash drive. After copying data to the USB flash drive, you can run Intelligent Provisioning or SPP from the USB flash drive instead of from a CD or DVD. This process is beneficial in headless-server operations. It also simplifies the storage, transportation, and usage of the contents by allowing you to retrieve their images from the web and customize them as needed.

Features

The USB Key Utility supports:

  • ISO files larger than 1 GB.

  • Quick Formatting on USB flash drives.

  • USB flash drives up to a maximum of 32 GB. USB flash drives larger than 32 GB are not displayed in the utility.

Prerequisites

Installing applications onto a USB flash drive requires a supported source CD, DVD, or ISO, and a USB flash drive with adequate storage space for storing the source contents. The USB Key Utility requires a USB 2.0 flash drive with a storage size larger than the media or ISO image (2 GB or greater).

NOTE: Version 2.0 and later of the USB Key Utility does not support a 32-bit operating system. Use version 1.8 of the utility in 32-bit environments.

AutoRun files

AutoRun files do not start automatically from the utility. To start an AutoRun file, double-click the autorun.exe file in the appropriate CD or DVD folder on the USB Key.

Creating a bootable USB key

Installing the utility adds a shortcut in HPE System Tools in the Programs Start menu folder.

To create a bootable USB key:

  1. Double-click the HPE USB Key Utility shortcut in the HPE System Tools folder.

  2. Complete each step as presented by the application:

    1. Click Next at the splash screen.

    2. Read the End-User License Agreement, and then select Agree and click Next.

    3. Select Create a bootable USB key from CD/DVD, and then click Next.

      NOTE: Do not select the Add an additional CD/DVD to a bootable USB key option with HP SUM 6.2.0, SPP 2014.02.0, or Intelligent Provisioning 1.60 and later, which no longer support multiple-boot environments on a single device.

    4. Place the USB flash drive in an available USB port. Insert the media in the optical drive or mount the ISO image, and then click Next.

    5. Choose the drive letter of the source, choose the drive letter of the target USB flash drive, and click Next.

      TIP: Click Rescan Target if you don’t see your drive key or just insert a new one.

      CAUTION: All data on the target USB key will be deleted.

    6. Click Next on the warning message screen. The USB flash drive is formatted, and the source contents are copied to the USB flash drive.

    7. Click Finish to display the README.TXT file.

Adding additional content to a bootable USB key

The USB Key Utility supports multiple images on a single USB flash drive if there is adequate space available on the USB flash drive and you are not loading content that works with a UEFI bootloader, which does not support multiple images due to security reasons.

NOTE: HP SUM 6.2.0, SPP 2014.02.0, or Intelligent Provisioning 1.60 and later no longer support multiple-boot environments on a single device. HP SUM, SPP, and Intelligent Provisioning contain signed parts to work with the UEFI bootloader. This change no longer allows for multi-boot setups on a single device, such as a USB key.

  1. Follow the instructions for creating a bootable USB key.

  2. Double-click the HPE USB Key Utility shortcut in the HPE System Tools folder.

  3. Complete each step presented by the application:

    1. Click Next at the splash screen.

    2. Select Agree, and then click Next after reading the End-User License Agreement.

    3. Select Add an additional CD/DVD to a bootable USB key, and then click Next.

    4. Place the USB flash drive in an available USB port. Insert the media into the optical drive or mount the ISO image, and then click Next.

    5. Choose the drive letter of the source, choose the drive letter of the target USB flash drive, and then click Next.

    6. Click Next on the informational screen. The source contents are copied to the USB flash drive.

    7. Click Finish to display the README.TXT file.

  4. Repeat steps 2-3 for each source media or image to be transferred to the USB key.