Disconnected the SATA cable to the optical drive and even the empty drive rack. Pulled both NVMe drives and did a CMOS jumper reset again. Still no post screen. The monitor shows green when I power on but then changes to yellow. I get one short beep on start up which usually means everything is ok?
bba-tcg
Senior member
It's hard wired to monitor. Besides if there was a problem with the monitor I wouldn't be able to boot into Ubuntu. I contacted the seller it has to be a problem with the motherboard. Unless anyone was another idea. Fortunately the computer comes with a 1 year warranty.
Plugged the monitor into another computer and it works fine.
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bba-tcg
Senior member
There are some cable/card combinations that work once booted that might not work before the OS comes up. There's also instances where things that used to work stop working for <reasons>. Which is the logic behind the suggestion. Might try a different monitor on this system.
I'll add back the NVMe drive with windows on it and see if it posts. Already contacted the seller and of course they didn't read the message and gave me useless advice....."go back into BIOS and switch it back to legacy boot..." What part of can't get back onto BIOS did you not understand.
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That sounds about right. COMPTIA stats were that something like 90% or more of problems are PICNIC/PEBKAC so I can't blame the seller for that response. You have to prove you aren't the problem first.
bba-tcg
Senior member
In fact, PEBKAC is number 1 in my experience.That sounds about right. COMPTIA stats were that something like 90% or more of problems are PICNIC/PEBKAC so I can't blame the seller for that response. You have to prove you aren't the problem first.
I'd prefer it if it was something stupid I'm missing but I can't think of what it might be at this point.That sounds about right. COMPTIA stats were that something like 90% or more of problems are PICNIC/PEBKAC so I can't blame the seller for that response. You have to prove you aren't the problem first.
Going to try that next. It booting to Ubuntu like everything is fine is what is confusing me.
ch33zw1z
Lifer
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Ok, try the minimum config, and build from there. If you get a clean post, and video, then don't add anything else but a drive you want to load an OS on (or is already loaded) and go from there.
Lenovo devices toggle from MBR (legacy boot mode) and uEFI mode using an option in the last menu of the BIOS, the option is called "OS optimized defaults". Toggled on / enabled and this is uEFI mode. Toggled off == legacy boot mode. This option automatically disables things like secure boot and CSM when set to off. You really shouldn't have to mess with those other settings specifically.
What is the Machine Type - Model for this device? edit: Pretty sure I'm on the correct support page
Also, if you can complete a clean POST at minimum config, the next step is to update BIOS to latest:
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It's a Lenovo Thinkstation P520 with a W-2145/64Gb ram. I pulled everything except the NVMe drives and got the same blank screen. It might be posting but with nothing on the screen I can't tell. Is there any Linux diagnostic software I can use to trouble shoot it?
bba-tcg
Senior member
Did you try a different screen? If it boots to Linux, it's obviously POSTing.
Yup just tried a different monitor same blank screen. It has to be posting since it boots to Ubuntu and it does the one beep when it starts up. Since there is no video before the OS is loaded then whatever basic video drivers are needed to show the post/BIOS screen must not be loading properly. I checked a couple of hardware monitors in Ubuntu and everything looks ok.
I'm using an old Radeon 4850. I have two and I've tried both. There is no onboard video
ch33zw1z
Lifer
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Ok, you’ve tried both DVI ports on both cards? and does the Lenovo splash screen come up?
bba-tcg
Senior member
When you first power on the machine, hold down the right shift key. Do you get the grub2 boot menu when you do this?
Yup tried the DVI, the HDMI even the VGA connector. Just tried an old GT710. Pulled all the ram modules and tried booting with just one. Tried 2 different modules. No splash screen. The first video is the Ubuntu desktop.
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ch33zw1z
Lifer
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Ok, while you’re doing the PD, unplug that boot drive man. Minimum config. Like bba said, you’re completing post….now you’ve got to figure out the other stuff.
Also, you can pull the cmos battery, plug in wall power, and boot just like that to see what’s up, this can “wake” the board up IMXP
Whenever you boot without memory dimms or a vga, you should get a post failure
I think the grub2 boot menu might have come up but had a blank screen until I hit enter and then it booted to Ubuntu desktop. I'm sure it is not the GPU, CPU, memory or PS. Already tried booting without any drives connected. It has to be something with the motherboard.
bba-tcg
Senior member
Well, by "get grub2 menu", I was implying "visible". Hopefully ch33w1z has more ideas because I don't.
ch33zw1z
Lifer
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The fact it's booting to Ubuntu is great, the system isn't dead. However, this is getting in the way and clouding the PD process IMO. If you want to get this thing going, it's minimum config (including unplugging the Ubuntu drive) and starting from scratch to see where the problem is.
Problem as I understand it (please correct me if I'm wrong here!)
1. No video at a hardware level
2. Can't boot windows
Consult the HMM for beep codes, memory plugging rules, etc... https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/thinkcentre_pdf/p520_hmm_en.pdf
-beep codes on page 93+94
Goal is to "wake up" the system at a hardware level, after going to minimum config (and you can unplug CMOS battery for these steps as well), proceed to next steps and take your time!
1. Boot without Memory or GPU installed - this should cause a POST error, which is good. Then adding system memory, one stick, and booting again while listening for POST error changes.
2. Next, add in GPU and listen for changes. Since RAM and GPU is now installed, 1 POST beep aka POST complete should happen.
If POST errors aren't changing, pull the GPU again and try another stick of memory.
The big change here is NO boot drive should be installed. You don't want the OS to boot, it's just confusing the matter.
Based on information we're receiving, I suspect one of these steps will render the system to boot and provide video at a hardware level.
Additionally, check your cable for bent pins, try a different cable (as suggested earlier).
Yes the primary problem now is no video at hardware level. The original issue was can't boot to Windows. The Windows boot drive looks fine. I can see it in Ubuntu and navigate it fine. The video problem obviously needs to be fixed before I can do anything about the Windows install. I am getting a single beep at startup now. I have booted with no drives installed and only 1 DIMM installed. I'll try removing the CMOS battery and booting that way.
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