NUC10i7FNHN fails to re/boot in headless setup

[Peek]

I have the NUC10i7FNHN running the latest firmware (FN0056) which simply does not boot or reboot when a monitor is NOT connected to the NUC.

Connecting a HDMI monitor and the NUC boots and reboots without issues.

Recalling correctly, I had the exact same issue with the NUC8i5BEH which was resolved after a firmware update.

Can you please address this issue as the NUC10i7FNHN NUCs are installed remotely without monitors attached.

Thanks

[LeonWaksman]

My NUC10i7FNH (BIOS 0076, Windows 11 Pro), is fully controllable (including Boot and Restart), while running headless, controlled trough Remote Desktop Connection.

Leon

[Peek]

Running XCP-ng 8.2 (Linux) with firmware (0056) dated 3/17/2022 being the only option to download at https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19485/bios-update-fncml357.html 

May I ask where you sourced version 0076 and what's it's release date ?

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hello Peek, I just wanted to check if the issue with the Intel® NUC persists and if you still need assistance on this matter?

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Peek]

Unfortunately the issue is still not resolved.

Neither can I source any other firmware than version FN0056 from your support page.

Could you advise where to download firmware version FN0076 as referenced by @LeonWaksman ?

[LeonWaksman]

Hello @Peek 

Sorry for confusion.  It was typing error. The BIOS 0056 is the latest version of the BIOS and this is the version installed in my NUC.

One more thing. In my NUC I've changed the Sleep Mode from default Modern Standby to Legacy S3. I don't know if this is the reason that my NUC boots headless but it das. So, I decided to leave this mode and change to Legacy S3, which is working as expected.

If you decide to check your NUC in Legacy S3, without need to reinstalling Windows, you need first, set to Windows boot mode to SAFE . Then you may enter BIOS and change the Sleep Mode from Modern Standby to Legacy S3. Click on F10(y) to save the new settings and exit to Windows. Once in Windows, change again the boot mode to NORMAL.

Leon

Edit:

Just saw that you are running XCP-ng 8.2 (Linux), rather than Windows. So, you should check if the boot problem is not caused by Linux (Linux was not tested by Intel on this NUC: Supported Operating Systems for Intel® NUC Products

[Peek]

Thanks for clearly that up.

Just to explain the situation again.

No HDMI monitor attached:

1. Press Power button

2. Power Button LED turns on

3. No activity on NUC, ever.

4. Quick press of Power button and NUC's Power LED button turns off immediately.

HDMI monitor attached:

1. Press Power button

2. Power button LED turns on

3.The moment the HDMI screen displays the INTEL logo, there is NVMe activity and the unit boots up

Linux operational with HDMI monitor still attached:

1. Quick press Power button - NUC continues to operate

2. Long press Power button - NUC terminates power supply

Reboot AFTER HDMI monitor has been removed:

1. Initiate reboot

2. Linux shuts down correctly, yet power LED never turns off.

3. Reboot is never initiated.

4. Quick press of power button and power LED button turns off immediately

5. Quick press of power button and the boot-up starts again, yet reverts to No HDMI monitor attached

This has been confirmed with Sleep Mode set to both Modern Standby and Legacy S3 with no difference.

Furthermore, transplanting the NVMe from either a NUC7i3BNH or NUC8i5BEH (which works without any issues in those NUCs) into the NUC10i7FNHN simply recreates the same issue again.

As mentioned previously, I recall this issue being resolved after a firmware upgrade on the NUCi5BEH.

As such, I'm still seeing the issue being firmware (UEFI) related as the firmware is not passing control to the OS unless as monitor is present. It is not even trying to hand control to the installed OS.

And then also, Intel has always been the NR 1 go-to for all things Linux because of their support and compatibility. Surely Intel has not suddenly simply stopped their interest with the Linux community ?...

[LeonWaksman · Accepted solution]

Hello @Peek 

 It seems to me that you are right and the problem is in firmware. Since, as I've wrote you in my previous posts, my NUC is booting correctly, with BIOS version 0056, the problem should be specifically addressed to firmware in your NUC. As such I suggest you to update firmware again in two steps. In first step using BIOS Recovery by Security Jumper.  In this step, the Management Engine will be unlocked. Before executing BIOS recovery procedure, disable drive encryption, if any (all encryption kays are erased).

After finishing the Step I, update BIOS again, using F7 method. In this step, Management Engine and EC firmware will be updated:

Step I

1. Prepare USB stick fully formatted to FAT32 . Format your USB with Quick Format option unchecked. Do not format your USB in MAC (OS) or Linux machine. Use Windows. Download the FNCML357.0056.RECOVERY.zip and extract the FNCML357.cap file. Copy the FNCML357.cap file to the root of this USB.
2. Disconnect the power adapter and remove the bottom panel from your NUC.
3. Remove the Yellow Bios Security Jumper. (page 33 in Technical Product Specification)
5. Insert the USB with the FNCML357.cap file into rear USB slot.
6. Reconnect the power adapter and power ON the NUC. Wait 30 sec - 2min. The Recovery process will start automatically and will end after 2 -5 minutes.
7. When bios recovery is completed, press and hold the Power Button to switch the power OFF, remove the USB stick with the BIOS file, remove the power adapter and replace the Security Jumper (pins 1-2) . Reinstall the bottom panel.
8. Power your NUC ON.
9. Enter Bios setting by pressing F2 during boot process.
10. Press F9(followed by Enter), to set Bios to default settings. Press F10 (followed by Enter), to save the settings and exit to O.S. Let the NUC fully reboot.

Step II

1. Download FN0056.CAP BIOS file and copy it to the USB used for BIOS recovery (erase the previously saved FNCML357.cap  file). Insert the USB with the FN0056.CAP file into rear USB slot (your NUC should be OFF)
2. Power ON you NUC and when you see the Intel NUC logo, repeatedly click on F7. NUC will boot into storage menu. You should select your USB stick (mass storage device) and then the FN0056.CAP file. Click enter the update will start and end during 2-3 minutes.
3. When update ends, the NUC will reboot.



Leon

[Peek]

Thanks @LeonWaksman 

That seems to have solved the mystery.

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hello Peek, I just wanted to check if the information provided by LEON WAKSMAN was useful for you, if the problem persists and if you still need further assistance on this matter?

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Rockyboa]

Since I didn't wanted to ran an older firmware and was stuck with this issue ordering https://www.ebay.com/itm/134273024581 solved this issue.

Regards