No POST Issue on Dell Computers with Intel VROC and a Third-party SSD in a FlexBay

Summary: The following article provides information about why a Dell computer does not POST. This happens when you fit a third-party SSD into a FlexBay with Intel Virtual RAID on CPU (VROC) Chipset. ...

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Symptoms

Intel VROC Chipset stops the POST when you fit an SSD into the FlexBay

We have received reports that certain computers do not complete Power On Self-Test (POST). This happens when a third-party SSD was fitted into a FlexBay that is connected to the Intel VROC Chipset.

Note: Dell computers experiencing this issue are confined to those that use both the Dell FlexBay and the Intel VROC Chipset with a third-party SSD.

Dell FlexBay design supports a range of modules from scalable storage to audio options. This helps you to configure the workstation you require.

You can find out more about the Intel VROC chipset on the following link:

Computers with both include:

  • Dell Precision 5820 Tower
  • Dell Precision 7820 Tower
  • Dell Precision 7920 Tower

Cause

Dell Engineering has investigated this issue. They have found that some third-party storage drives are not listed in the Intel VROC Product Design List (PDL). (Especially Enterprise grade storage drives.) These third-party drives are not expected to be added to the list.

Resolution

This is an expected behavior. This is a compatibility issue between the VROC chipset and the unknown third-party SSD.

The third-party drive works when connected to any other SATA port.

The third-party drive works when it is hot-swapped into the FlexBay. (After the windows operating system has loaded and it has passed the POST checks during start-up.)

Note: The computer and components are working as designed.

Affected Products

5820 XL Tower, 7820 XL Tower, 7920 XL Tower, Precision 5820 Tower, Precision 7820 Tower, Precision 7920 Tower
Article Properties
Article Number: 000180495
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 22 Apr 2025
Version:  7
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