What did I do to Project Frankenstein??????
Thanks for taking the time to read and possibly help me out. Project Frankenstein is my homelab that started with some random stuff that was left over from other projects. Upgrades have brought the monster to where it is today.
Below is a list of the hardware and the tale of events that brought me here.
Motherboard: ASUS Pro WS C422-ACE
CPU: Intel Xeon W-2175
RAM: 64GB (4x 16GB Kingston ValueRAM KVR21R15D4/16 DDR4-2133 ECC Registered)
GPU: Sapphire Dual-X R9 270X 4GB
OS: Proxmox VE 7.0-10 (installed in Legacy/MBR mode)
HBA: LSI 9207-8i
Storage:120GB SSD (Proxmox OS), 4-Hitachi 3TB (Proxmox Storage Pool), 1TB WD Black NVMe (Planned new Proxmox), 512GB Inland NVMe (Planned TrueNAS install drive or swap drive), 12TB Seagate Ironwolf (Nas Storage)
What happened:
I planned to install TrueNAS in preperation for JellyFin storage. My current Proxmox OS lived on a 120GB SSD, but with TrueNAS coming into the picture I am adding a 1TB NVMe & a 12 TB NAS drive.
My intensions were to clone the SSD over to the NVMe then fix the partition to use the full space. I consulted AI (Claude) for some help as I felt all of this was a bit more than my current experience.
I started the day by creating the Proxmox 9.1 USB install drive. Then entered the BIOS to prepare for the reinstall.
Instructions were to disabled CSM (Compatibility Support Module), Enable VT-d and SR-IOV. Disabling the CSM was the only change I made as the others were already enabled.
After saving and exiting I lost all video output and could not re-enter the BIOS.
Repair steps I have already attempted:
- BIOS flashback via rear I/O designated flashback port attempted with multiple versions: 2102, 1801, then 4103
- CMOS jumper clear (CLRTC) multiple times, holding for 30+ seconds with PSU unplugged
- CMOS battery removal
- RAM isolation — tested single sticks in multiple slots (C2 is the single stick location in the motherboard manual)
- Storage isolation — disconnected all drives including NVMe and SATA
- Removed LSI 9207-8i HBA
- Tested multiple PCIe slots with GPU
Current status:
- Debug LED posts code **A2** (IDE/storage detection) even with no storage devices connected
- No video signal on GPU in any PCIe slot. yes, i tested both HDMI and DP
- Board appears partially alive — fans spin, debug LED cycles to A2
- BIOS flashback LED completes (turns off) but board still will not POST
While attempting the BIOS rollback I discovered that BIOS versions above 1403 require a ME (Management Engine) firmware update to be installed first, which is why I rolled back to 1403 as I cannot acccess the system to install it.
AI theory: The ME firmware and BIOS are out of sync on the C422 platform, causing the POST hang. A direct BIOS chip programmer may be required to reflash both BIOS and ME firmware.
My question to the masses, has anyone experienced anything like this on the C422-ACE or similar C422 platform boards? Is a BIOS chip programmer the correct next step? Are there any other recovery options before pursuing hardware repair or board replacement?
Any help is greatly appreciated — all other hardware (CPU, RAM, drives, HBA) is confirmed good. Just need to bring Frankenstein back to life again!