Dell T20 PowerEdge will only go to Intel Boot Agent and then hangs.

Hello

I would disconnect all of the disks. If you don't have issues booting into when the drives are disconnected then it is either an issue with the drives or a software issue with the boot loader. I would test without the drive that was just added.

Thanks

Hello Daniel,

Thanks for the reply.

I disconnected all disks but still have problems. On power on the monitor comes out of standby mode but displays nothing then goes to sleep, no mater whether I press esc, F2 or F12 etc.

I plugged a drive back in, the hard disk access light does blink, but nothing on the monitor which then goes to sleep.

It seems to have got worse. Any other suggestions?

Thanks Jeremy

Hello Daniel,

For get my last email. I hadn't plugged the keyboard back in.

I've tried entering CTRL-I but it does nothing. I've not been able to get it to show the list of drives and prompt for the CTRL-I input.

What ever I do it ends up at the Intel Boot Agent screen, with np prompt for CTRL-I on the way there.

Any suggestions?

Best wishes,

Jeremy

What ever I do it ends up at the Intel Boot Agent screen, with np prompt for CTRL-I on the way there.

The boot agent is coming up because it can't find a valid boot device. Try booting to some form of media like your operating system DVD or a bootable USB drive. If you are able to boot to media then update the system BIOS. Since your operating system is not functioning you will need to use the DOS update method. Instructions are at the bottom of the BIOS download page.

www.dell.com/support/home/product-support/product/poweredge-t20/

Thanks

Hello Daniel,

Thanks for the reply, but still no joy. I tried an Ubuntu DVD, Ubuntu on a USB and also tried a UFEI bootable HDD from another DellT20 that was booting Windows 10 OK. But whatever combination of disks and key presses it always goes quickly to the Intel Boot Agent screen.

Is there a way to do a factory reset of the Motherboard?

Best wishes,

Jeremy

Hello Daniel,

Thanks for getting back to me. Unfortunately a BIOS reset hasn't helped.

Is there anything else I can try?

Best wishes,

Jeremy

Is there anything else I can try?

You can remove all unnecessary hardware by taking the system to minimum-to-POST.

Hello Daniel,

I've just two memory boards install with nothing connected to any of the 4 sata connectors and USB mouse and keyboard connected.

On powering up pressing no keys it goes to Initializing Intel Boot Agent

Power up pressing "Esc" I get the dell logo and F12 Boot option in the top right. If I don't press F12 it goes to the Intel Boot Agent. If I press F12 it changes to "Preparing one-time boot menu" and then goes to Intel Boot Agent.

Pressing F2 on power up I get the Dell Logo and "Preparing to enter Setup" followed by the  Initializing Intel Boot Agent.

Are there any other keys I should be pressing?

Best wishes,

Jeremy

Are there any other keys I should be pressing?

I have no other suggestions beyond part replacement. I would replace the system board if the issue persisted after all of the steps you have taken.

Thanks