Initiating headless mode check – no GPU detected.
Initiating headless mode check – no GPU detected.
NAS has 12100F, no iGPU. Uses two PCIe slots. Needs more SATA ports; had GPU in one slot. Tried adding a 2.5G NIC but nothing works. No boot because it's headless—can't monitor status. Swapped cards and NICs, but issue persists. Still trying to install GPU with NIC for network access. Need extra port soon. Backup only; no RAID. Can wait if needed.
Check if you're utilizing the M.2 port. They produce SATA adapters in that compact design.
It was exactly what I needed at the time, and the alternative version was significantly pricier. Since then, its purpose has shifted. I thought about it and it might still be worth considering if I need a different approach. I'm trying to prevent unnecessary costs by finding a better way.
I understand some BIOS options that let you boot without a display, but I’m not familiar with your specific setup. If the power runs out or the system restarts unexpectedly, you’ll need to reinstall the graphics card and adjust the settings once more. You could reach out to ASUS for headless-compatible BIOS support, though it’s unclear if they offer them. This discussion might help, but in the end, you may need to replace the main components.
Stayed focused on other tasks so I didn’t finish installing the dGPU yet; I’ll check the BIOS later. I’m almost certain I started before, but now I wonder if Windows still provides a virtual display since I’m using VNC. This isn’t about me—just unrelated stuff. I’d like to adjust another setting and could upgrade RAM because I have extra memory available. I already have a backup drive with a dedicated install for this purpose.
The setup appears to be functioning with the dGPU and NIC installed, but booting remains problematic. After trying CSM, the system started, though the Mobo NIC isn't responding and the PCIe NIC works fine. Removing the dGPU and testing with a SATA drive didn’t help. The power indicator flashes slowly when it fails to boot, staying lit once it reaches BIOS. I’m considering reverting to the original configuration and evaluating alternatives. Options include using a 1 GbE USB connection for backups, or upgrading components like CPU or motherboard, which would be more expensive. A M.2 to SATA adapter is cheaper but more costly than expected.
Based on my observations, most new devices won’t boot securely or have CSM enabled without a graphics card when none is present. I’ve tested headless W11/W10, Proxmox, Truenas, and they all functioned once I installed an OS with a GPU then removed it later.
Secure Boot was disabled after the NIC installation, making it hard to choose. I switched to CSM, which helped but left the GPU out. I’m considering adjusting this more later, but I’m satisfied for now.
I acquired a USB-2.5G adapter. After installation, I observed 2.5G speeds via iperf3. Currently, files being copied are limited below that threshold, but I'll reassess later. "Once it worked" indicates this differs from my other Unraid box, where adding a new NIC automatically enabled functionality. The other setup treats multiple NICs as bonded backups, whereas this unit left the new NIC inactive. I transferred the configuration and everything functioned correctly. This could explain previous boot issues due to outdated UEFI support requiring CSM, which I overlooked. Essentially, I think this task is complete. I couldn't get it to boot without a display, but now using a USB NIC eliminates GPU removal.