HP server won't boot up - just get flashing cursor

Question

I'm trying to put an unused 2007 HP Proliant ML150 G3 server to use at the office. I was told it just needed a new PSU which i've installed but the thing won't boot up. After powering it up, the fans come on, it seems to run the BIOS fine, but after the summary i just get a black screen with a flashing cursor in the top-left corner.

There are no error messages, no beeps - nothing. I can't input on the keyboard, i can just ctrl-alt-del to restart it. I can enter the setup though and I've changed the boot sequence and tried booting from a Windows Server OS DVD but i get the same sequence everytime.

Has anyone got any theories please???

Thanks.

Answer 1

If possible, reset the CMOS, by either using the jumper that should be on the mobo, or taking out the watch battery. It's possible something is misconfigured and this will bring it back to factory state. Something is def. 'breaking' before even boot up can start, since it won't even boot from a windows os dvd.

make sure the server has a dvd drive and not a cd drive

take out all the hard drives, and try booting from a linux live cd, then the windows setup dvd

Answer 2

Are there any expansion cards that are non-HP? I have seen this with eSATA adapter in a couple of our servers. Remove and try again. You could also just remove ANY expansion cards if possible and see what happens.