Installing Ubuntu via USB using YUM

Overview:

An easy way to install Ubuntu without the need for a disc or disc drive. This can also be used to install a lot of useful diagnostic tools and also windows (although I have never tried this)

What You Need:

USB drive that will be formated (it will lose all its data)

Downloads:

• Download YUMI from pendrivelinux.com
• Download Ubuntu ISO (I went with 12.04 LTS 64-bit Desktop Edition)

Steps:

1. Insert your USB drive.
2. Launch YUMI & Agree to the T&Cs
3. Select your USB drive from the top menu, select "Format" to the right of this
4. At Step 2: Select "Ubuntu" as the Distribution
5. At Step 3: Browse to the ISO you downloaded
6. Click Create and wait for it to be finished.
7. You don't need to add any more distos, just finish

You now should be able to inset the USB drive into the microserver and automatically it will boot into YUMI on boot up. Select "Linux Distros" after that its pretty self explanatory.

Microserver N54L/N40L - HDD in Cd Drive bay

Overview:

If you are using the microserver as a home server, you are unlikely to want a CD drive in it, so why not move your OS drive into the vacant space and leave 4 empty bays for storage drives.

What You Need:

• 3.25 adapter bracket for a 5.25 bay
• Sata to Left Angle Sata Cable (24")
• Molex to Sata power adapter

Steps:

No point re-inventing the wheel, there is a good guide for this here.

Something to note, there is a little tool and a supply of screws on the inside of the microserver door, so no need to get any additional screws or tools.

Microserver N54L/N40L Custom Bios Update (Jan 2014)

Overview:

You do not need to do this you don't want to. There is a risk that you will brick your microserver. Do so at your own risk.

The main reason I see for updating is to enable hot swappable drives (which means you can plug in drives while the server is on)

What You Need:

USB drive that will be formated (it will lose all its data)

Downloads:

• Download the BIOS Update tool from HP
• Download the modified BIOS
  

Steps:

No point re-inventing the wheel, there is a good guide for this here. Skip to the "Step-By-Step Guide – Critical Path Check List" section, but instead of using the files they link to, use the ones above to get the latest BIOS.

When you have succesfully installed the BIOS, restart the microserver and press F10 to enter the BIOS. Follow the steps on the previous link labeled: "Modifying the BIOS"

And that should be it fully installed and ready to go!