The system fails to start without the GPU.
The system fails to start without the GPU.
I'm dealing with a server setup that includes an old PC running Ubuntu 24.04. I'm sharing this because the issue doesn't seem to be about the operating system itself. Everything functions properly with the GPU installed. At first, I had to tweak the grub settings to prevent menu selection after power loss, since otherwise, without a keyboard and without the GPU, a persistent grub menu would appear and lock the system indefinitely. This was resolved by adjusting the grub option. A similar situation has arisen: after removing the GPU, the system boots once afterward (I can SSH into it), but never again until the GPU is reinstalled. It also doesn't respond to wake-on-LAN from the off state, which usually works. The presence or absence of a keyboard doesn't matter, and pressing enter on an attached keyboard doesn't produce any effect (took a long time to verify).
Has anyone encountered anything comparable? This server is best run without the GPU installed. Also, this might be more specific to Ubuntu, but if anyone knows where I can find logs from failed boot attempts, it would be greatly appreciated.
Certain boards require a monitor screen to be detected before posting. In the past, I connected older monitor boards to get screen readings, but they wouldn't post or boot properly.
Some servers require adjusting jumper or bios configurations to enable headless booting. Do you have the specifications for the device you're attempting to use?
A note: I appreciate how we still refer to this as a headless setup, even though it comes from an era when a monitor was placed on top of a standard desktop. It creates the illusion that the computer's head has been removed.
Interesting. I doubt that's my problem though since it does POST at least headless once, then stops.
It's essentially an older system. The motherboard is an x570 Aorus Master and the CPU is a Ryzen 2700X. The graphics card is an outdated GTX 1070. I'm planning to search for a guide on booting the motherboard without a GPU, though it seems like it usually boots once before stopping...
Edit: according to a Reddit discussion someone managed to set this board up to run without a GPU using fast boot. Still, in my case the same happens: it boots once and then stops. After reinstalling the GPU it works again. I'm not sure I can locate any issues without logs.
BIOS only allows choosing a PCIe slot for the GPU, with no choice for no GPU or iGPU.
Advanced Mode > Settings > Initial Display Output
No HDMI or DP ports are visible on the motherboard I/O for G series CPUs either.
This isn't really a server-grade motherboard, which likely explains the lack of headless support. The simplest workaround might be to use a subpar GT710 or similar model and simply connect it.
Unfortunately that's what I'm working with... Suppose I'll get to ebay then. Sadly no pci x1 graphics cards I can find.
I just don't understand what "tricks" the mobo into booting once before stopping. Perhaps it's something I could replicate as a permanent workaround, if only I knew what it was.
As a side note, the fast boot turns out to have partially broken something, to the point that the system never tries getting an ip on the correct NIC, only the first one it finds. Once again, this behavior is exhibited after I make changes, reboot, then reboot again. Very strange.
Edit: ok, turning on fast boot, even after turning it off, messed something up pretty badly. My wake on lan service fails to start, and the correct NIC never tries to get a dhcp lease, resulting in no ethernet. Not sure how I fix this.
Edit2: I think I know why now. The right NIC no longer shows up as the output of "ip a". No idea if this is hardware or was somehow permanently left in software by the fast boot. I am not having a good day.
KBC processes the hw configuration but it gets overwritten upon startup. You might need to replicate it or create your own logic if you're skilled in BIOS development. Otherwise, I'd switch to a cheaper GPU and a $50 screen. P.S dedicated server boards don't face these problems.
This board operates headless without any issues, especially during fast boot. My problem occurred when my NIC failed while testing the fast boot feature to check if it would bypass the graphics verification. It seems it does work now, eliminating the need for a second 2.5Gbps card. Also, I no longer need to purchase a GT710 to resolve this matter. Additionally, the boot sequence has become significantly quicker, which might be related to the previous failing NIC.