The CMOS reset on the SuperMicro X7DWA-N stopped access to PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility.
The CMOS reset on the SuperMicro X7DWA-N stopped access to PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility.
I kept the SuperMicro X7WDA-N in my employer's eWaste bin. I believe it was fine and they simply replaced it with a newer model. My intention was to convert it into a media server for less demanding tasks. Using my USB-A keyboard, I accessed BIOS setup by pressing the delete key when prompted. However, Ubuntu Server 20.04.3 failed to recognize the hard drive I installed. This issue might relate to the absence of a RAID card, as the drives are connected directly to the motherboard via a baseboard. I’m not an expert on server hardware, so I assumed it was connected that way without realizing it. To resolve this, I removed the button cell battery for a few seconds to reset CMOS. After that, installing Ubuntu still encountered problems; checking BIOS settings didn’t register the delete key. Regardless of my actions, the system would power on and ask for setup via Del. When I pressed any key, it would jump to the PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility, which displayed hardware info but didn’t interact. It only asked to press any key to continue, yet it didn’t respond when I did. I attempted to use a PS/2 keyboard and consulted the X7DWA-N manual, but found no reference to this problem. I updated BIOS by burning a FreeDOS ISO onto a USB drive and then transferring the installation files, following instructions from the Arch Linux wiki. I also purchased a PS/2 keyboard and tried using it, though I’m still unsure what to do next.
Consider replacing the bios chip with a new one. Reach out to the Bios Depot seller on eBay; they can install any desired bios before shipping. If that fails, return the board to the e-scrap bin it originated from.
I'll look into it. Are you only giving them the BIOS file? Also, it seems normal since it functioned before resetting the CMOS. Why would that reveal a hardware issue?