unRAID Server is designed to be installed on, and boot from a128MB or larger USB Flash storage device.
Preparation
First, obtain a good quality USB Flash device such as:
Since the Flash device will most likely be plugged directly into a USB port directly on the motherboard back panel, also try to use the smallest physical USB Flash device you can find.
Next, visit the Download page and download the latest unRAID Server release and the syslinux tool. The syslinux tool is used to make the USB Flash device bootable.
Instructions
Step 1 Plug the Flash into your PC and re-format it using Windows (right-click the Flash under My Computer and select Format):
- For File system, leave what Windows sets as default.
- For Volume label, enter "UNRAID" (without the quotes).
- Select Quick Format and click Start.
Step 2 Extract the syslinux.exe executable and copy to a simple directory, for example, c:\. Then run it by clicking on Start/Run; in the dialog box enter:
c:\syslinux.exe -ma f:
(Instead of c:\ use whatever directory you downloaded syslinux to, and instead of f: use whatever drive letter Windows mounted your Flash on).
The syslinux tool will create a hidden system file named ldlinux.sys on the Flash and make it boot-able.
Step 3 Extract the unRAID Server files and copy to your Flash.
Step 4 Right-click your Flash device under My Computer and select Eject.
Booting unRAID Server
Remove the Flash from your PC and plug it into your server. Power up your server and see if it immediately boots (with some motherboards it will). If it doesn’t boot, reset your server and enter the BIOS setup. Navigate to the appropriate screen(s) and select you USB Flash device as the boot device. Save your BIOS settings and try to boot the Flash. If the Flash will not boot, read over the following tips.
BIOS Setup Tips
The system BIOS can be complicated and the exact BIOS settings will vary from motherboard to motherboard. Here are a few tips to increase your chances of success. First, ensure that the Flash is the only USB device plugged in. Second, plug the Flash directly into a motherboard I/O panel USB port if possible, instead of any front panel USB ports. Next, go back into the system BIOS and try changing some of the following settings (taking note to the changes made):
- Try in sequence:
o Forced-FDD
o USB-HDD
o USB-ZIP - Try disabling USB 2.0 support (this will default to USB 1.1).
- Try switching on or off any "Fast Boot" feature.
- Try Switching on or off "USB keyboard" support.
Many motherboards support only up 12 hard drives for purposes of boot selection. This is normally not an issue for an unRAID server; however, if your Flash device is recognized by the bios as a "hard drive", you may not be able to boot from the Flash after installing your 12th "real" hard drive. To avoid this, if possible set up your bios so that the Flash is treated as a removable device.
Other BIOS Setup Suggestions
- Many BIOS which support SATA include an option to either disable it (sometimes called Legacy mode) or enable it (sometimes called Enhanced mode). If you are going to use SATA drives, ensure the BIOS SATA support is enabled.
- In addition, many BIOS optionally support SATA AHCI mode. unRAID Server fully supports AHCI.
- unRAID Server does not need any serial ports, you should disable them.
- unRAID Server does not need the parallel port, you should disable it.
- unRAID Server does not need audio, you should disable it.
- If you want to use WOL (Wake On Lan), ensure this feature is enabled in the BIOS Power settings.
Sample BIOS Settings
Here are some sample BIOS settings:
