Failure to Boot from USB

[sulli]

Hey guys, I’ve been at this for two days now, and can’t make any progress. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.
First, the details:
Target Machine:
IBM (e)server, xSeries 306
OS: Fedora version 4
Boot Order:
1. CD...
2. Removable Media
3. SATA...
USB Drive:
adata 8GB
Process:
I used the prescribed live usb creator for windows to fill the usb drive. I’ve attempted to boot from the USB at least 4 times, once from each USB port on the box. No luck.
There isn’t an option in the BIOS to select the specific boot device. I bring that up because my desktop does have that option, and using the BIOS’ “BOOT MENU”, I was able to boot from the USB and bring up the Fedora 14 Installation Menu, no problem.

So, it works on the pc that’s on my desk (eMachine w/XP), but the IBM doesn’t even recognize it. Any ideas?

(I'm also posting this question on Linux forums and Linux questions)

[jroa1]

From Lenovo PC Doctor website, I found these instructions. I am not sure if it is the same for an IBM server.

* To interrupt normal startup, press the blue Access IBM button or the enter key.
Press F12 to choose temporary boot device
* Press F1 for IBM BIOS Setup Utility
Press F11 to invoke the IBM Product Recovery program
Press F12 to choose temporary boot device

Also found this one that is similar, but a little different.

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/bladectr/documentation/topic/com.ibm.bladecenter.hs22.doc/dw1iv_t_using_boot_menu_program.html (http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/bladectr/documentation/topic/com.ibm.bladecenter.hs22.doc/dw1iv_t_using_boot_menu_program.html)

[CSchwangler]

F12 to bring up the temporary boot drive menu works on both of my IBM ThinkPads. If it doesn't work on your machine, can you then change the boot order in the BIOS?

[sulli]

well, this is embarrassing. While I was working on getting a BIOS update downloaded, a friend suggested that I give the CD installation of Fedora another try - but with a different burning software. Sure enough, that fixed it. I had tried roxio and sonic to create the discs, but after neither set of CD's would boot, I just moved on to the USB option.
Now that I have v14 installed, I'm not really itching to dive back into why the USB wouldn't boot. If I do go back and figure it out I'll share what I learn from there.
Thanks for the suggestions!

[CSchwangler]

If you need an application that is able to burn cd iso images under Windows I would suggest Infrarecorder

http://infrarecorder.org/

Never had a problem burning iso images to disk with it and I've burned a lot of them.