happyborg

Can anyone help me with a Dell #OptiPlex?

Boot starts Windows setup (which I don't want), but pressing F2 during boot seems to be invoking a video mode that my very old HDMI monitor doesn't support.

It has an HDMI signal but the display shows "NO SUPPORT", unlike if I just let it boot to the Windows installer which displays correctly.

I'm trying to get to the BIOS so I can boot from a USB with #Proxmox installer and then setup #HomeAssistant using the Px script.

#HomeLab

Mar 26 at 2:23pmWeb
Show threadDaniel Lakeland20h ago

@happyborg

Thought, does the monitor have another input type you could use? DVI, VGA, Display Port?

Show threadhappyborg20h ago

@dlakelan It looks like it has VGA, SCART and RGB but I don't have cables to hand. That will be something to search for soon!

I'm struggling to find a description of even the connections on the OptiPlex right now - the user manual has no diagram of the connectors. There are photos online but I haven't found the pages they are from yet.

Thanks for responding Daniel!

Show threadDaniel Lakeland20h ago

@happyborg

Not sure what SCART is. Does the optiplex have VGA output? If so, that's probably your best bet!

Show threadhappyborg20h ago

@dlakelan It has HDMI and DisplayPort, and an RF style output which is what I was trying to identify.

(SCART is an ancient but widely supported (UK) way to connect domestic video devices like TVs and VCR).

Show threadPatrick Laimbock 🇳🇱 🇪🇺20h ago
@happyborg Have you tried pressing F12 during boot? IIRC it shows a Boot menu where you can select the USB stick (if it does not show up, try a different USB port).
Show threadhappyborg20h ago
@plaimbock Thanks but F12 just goes through to the Windows setup. F2 does something different but seems to switch the video to something my old monitor doesn't support. Really odd.
Show threadhappyborg20h ago
@plaimbock Um, now F2 is doing the same.
Show threadhappyborg20h ago
@plaimbock Suddenly I'm into BIOS setup... battering F2 fast enough worked. Wish me luck!
Show threadPatrick Laimbock 🇳🇱 🇪🇺19h ago
@happyborg Good luck! 😃 If somehow the BIOS settings get messed up then I usually remove the battery, wait a few minutes, put it back in and power-on.
Show threadhappyborg19h ago
@plaimbock Thanks for the tip, the Proxmox installer is now running! 🥳
Show threadNothinButDoug15h ago
@happyborg I don’t have an optiplex available but I recall that you could set it to use the vga or hdmi output in bios, but it won’t auto detect and switch. If you have a vga monitor try that, otherwise you might need to get a vga to hdmi dongle so you can see the bios
Show threadhappyborg14h ago

@rnDoug thanks but although symptoms made me think this was a different issue, I now believe it's mainly to do with the connector on the monitor/TV.

I've been able to get it working enough to install #Proxmox and have ordered a new cheap monitor for when the existing one fails.

Challenge now is to get internet on the #OptiPlex using only a mobile hotspot - so no way to install WiFi support. I'm hoping I can do this with a wired connection to my laptop.
#HomeLab

Show threadGreenGeek9h ago
@happyborg @rnDoug the RF-style connector you mentioned might be for an external WiFi antenna, though if it didn’t have the antenna it also may be missing the WiFi module (usually m.2 connector) on the motherboard.
Show threadSi  (he/him)6h ago

@happyborg

There is a procedure where you can opt within windows to reboot to EFI BIOS.

Either

shutdown /r /fw /t 0

In cmd or via GUI

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5831-boot-uefi-firmware-settings-inside-windows-10-a.html

Perhaps this helps. Or simply hang it to your TV HDMI 😉