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April 12th, 2020 22:00

Optiplex 9020 can't access BIOS

Hi,

I have a dell Optiplex 9020 that I am unable to access the BIOS in. I replaced the hard drive about a week ago and was able to install Ubuntu with a live USB on it and run it for about a week. I did not access the BIOS at all during the Ubuntu instillation, there was no need to. For various reasons, I decided to re-install the OS. I wiped the hard drive clean and when I went to install Ubuntu again, using the same USB drive, and the computer got hung on Intel Boot agent. I then tried to plug in my keyboard and access the BIOS to change the boot order, but I noticed my keyboard did not work at all. The caps lock key is flashing about once per second during boot and Intel boot agent. I also noticed I am not getting a POST beep at all. My keyboard is a Corsair K65, it is a USB keyboard. I tried using a PS/2 to USB adapter and that did not work either. The Ubuntu version is 18.04 LTS. The only way I am able to boot into a live Ubuntu desktop is if I completely unplug the hard drive itself. Although, the installer does not recognize the hard drive after I plug it back in

Things I have tried:

-Resetting the CMOS/BIOS 

-Every troubleshooting step for no POST

-Installing Ubuntu in BIOS and UEFI separately on the hard drive then plugging it back into the Optiplex

 

Not sure if this is a hardware problem like a faulty motherboard or CPU or not. Again, it worked for about a week not too long ago with no issues at all. I did not change anything besides wiping the hard drive. The screen just goes to and stays on  PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel Boot Agent.

I am at a loss of what the next step is.

Thank you!

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April 26th, 2020 19:00

Hi,

I was able to solve the problem with the need for a PS/2 keyboard. My Corsair K65 keyboard has a switch on the top labeled "1 2 4 8 BIOS", I turned the switch to BIOS and it allowed me to access the BIOS on my computer. Turns out all my USB ports were enabled pre-boot and with legacy devices. I think the problem lies within a compatibility issues with the keyboard and motherboard.

Just wanted to post this here for anyone else having a similar problem

Thank you for all your help! 

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April 12th, 2020 22:00

never mind Ubuntu for now. You said you have tried every troubleshooting step for no POST.  not sure what steps you took.  No POST and no boot are two different issues.

If no video at all or you get stuck on Dell logo, that is no POST.  I would then remove all hdd, usb devices and keyboards/mouse, leave only one ram stick in DIMM1, and test if motherboard can POST.  If you see Intel boot agent after Dell logo vanishes, motherboard has passed POST but bios is set incorrectly to boot from network, hence no boot and you are stuck w the agent.  that is why you tried to enter BIOS but your keyboard is malfunctioning. I would try a very basic keyboard and try all available USB ports and PS/2 on the optiplex. You could have a faulty keyboard or USB port, but it is unlikely you have two bad keyboards at same time and all ports are bad.

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April 13th, 2020 08:00

I am able to get past the Dell logo to Intel boot agent. I have tried disconnecting everything besides the essentials for POST and tried 1 RAM stick in DIMM1.

My keyboard works on my other system just not on the Optiplex. I am unable to fix the boot order in the BIOS to not boot from network because my keyboard will not function during boot. It worked previously on the system and I have tried every USB port and PS/2 port(with my adapter) on the Optiplex. 

I do not have access to another keyboard

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April 13th, 2020 12:00

I have a pic of 9010 jumper .  9020 is probably similar.  move blue jumper from PSWD to RTCRST, wait 1 min, move back.

in the other user experience replacing w new battery was the fix.
the model of the battery is CR2032.  sold at many retail stores.  best deal I know is

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/everlasting-candles-replacement-cr2032-3v-batteries-set-of-5/1016888850

 

 

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April 13th, 2020 12:00

You said you tried resetting the CMOS/BIOS.  How did you do it?  I would remove CMOs battery, wait 1-5 min or overnight, replace w new coin button battery, and reset CMOs jumper on motherboard.  new battery is $2.  recently another user had a lot of trouble and new battery was the reported fix.
you system has passed POST, but for some reason it is not able to work w the only keyboard you have.  Do you have a laptop?  If yes try connect the usb keyboard to it and verify keyboard still works to enter laptop bios.

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April 13th, 2020 12:00

I took out the CMOS battery, unplugged the power chord and held the power button down for at least 10 seconds for a hard reset. 

How do you reset the CMOS jumper and where can I buy a new battery/what model? 

The keyboard works on both my laptop and on a different desktop PC to access BIOS.

On a side note, the keyboard has 2 USB inputs. One for RGB and one for actual key usage. I have tried using just the keyboard input and both(RGB and keys). Not sure if that makes a difference.  

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April 13th, 2020 13:00

I was able to reset the jumper, the computer booted to no time-of-day set please run setup. My keyboard is still not responsive and pressing F2 still does not bring up setup. I tried USB and PS/2 to USB. 

I will order the battery replacements. Is there anything else I can try? 

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April 13th, 2020 18:00

@Ben1029 Someone also had this issue of no keyboard response during boot.  He was able to fix it by taking out the battery to reset bios.  so if you could remove your battery overnight and reinsert it (or a new battery) next day, see if that helps.  That person also reported usb keyboard did not work in either usb port or ps/2 port via usb-ps/2 adapter.  once pc booted into Windows, his usb keyboard worked.  The problem is “some bios disabled USB connections to speed boot along; the common way to fix this is to use a PS/2 keyboard.”  You said you have no access to another keyboard. are you certain there is no old ps/2 keyboard you can borrow from someone?  (I have a few old ones) Perhaps a real old fashioned ps/2 kb is the only one that works.  The bios like a dog is not totally unresponsive. You just need to speak ps/2.

If you succeed to get in the BIOS, you want to look for option in there that says 'USB legacy devices', make sure it is enabled.
Save the settings in the BIOS, and exit.

 

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April 16th, 2020 07:00

I replaced the CMOS battery with a brand new one and that did not change anything. It boots straight to intel boot agent and continues to hang. Doesn't even say the time-of-day is not set, does this have something to do with the PSWD and RTCRST jumpers?

I will ask around but I no one I know seems to have an old PS/2 keyboard. Where is the cheapest place I can buy one? Or even just borrow it for a day

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April 16th, 2020 10:00

people who own old Windows XP computers might still have ps/2 kB. Your case remains a tough nut to crack it seems. you can also look on local craigslist or eBay. used ps/2 for $5+shipping. almost nobody wants these nowadays.  

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-KEYBOARD-5187-1767-Rev-2-2-VERSION-IN-GOOD-WORKING-CONDITION/233555170883?hash=item3660f91643:g:H5IAAOSwmSdabp~n

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January 7th, 2022 13:00

I wanted to update the bios of my Dell workstation t5810 bios. I have searched a lot on multiple websites and forums, but failed to find any useful data. Finally I found my solution here. If you want to update your Dell bios update, visit here, may be it helps you as well.

 

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March 13th, 2026 12:28

@Ben1029​ I have the same problem a ps2 keyboard didn't help. I get to the dell logo then get the msg keyboard not recognized.

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