USB ports has stopped working during boot process

[suniron]

Hello,

I've been stuck from 2 days with my computer.

As I recently bought a new SSD, i want to do a fresh install of Debian 12 on it for personal server usage, but i can't because my USB devicee are disabled during the installation process  (the live Linux USB and mouse/keyboard for example), just after the selection of the way to install the OS (Debian 12 > graphical install for example, but all choices give the same result)

I tried many things, like:

- Using different keyboards (with cable or with wireless dongle)

- Try with multiple OS (Debian 12, Ubuntu, Windows 11 official bootable key) and on differents USB keys, connected to differents USB 2 / 3 ports + the USB-C port with adapter

-  Install the OS on another machine before, and check that all works good before insert the SSD in the final server: in this case i have a message about "Boot device Not found " with 3F0 error

- Choose many combinations of options in the BIOS like boot on Legacy and UEFI, disable Secure Boot, Fastboot, and disabled different securities, use Factory Settings,

- Updated the BIOS to the last version: may 2023, from my memory..

- Did the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI (by pressing F2 during boot): checks are in PASSED state

- Try to boot on a live USB (Ubuntu > Try or install😞 it freeze after choosing this option

I'm in over my head , because all works good in the BIOS or on the selection menu of a Linux install key. Also, during the harware diagnostic, i seen the LED of my keyboard (it means that the keyboard was alimented during this step) and i have the impression that an option of the BIOS force to disable external devices for a security reason during the boot.. It's the only possibility I can see.

I really need your help, many thanks in advance 🤞🤞🤞

[TheOldMan]

That is a Business Class PC and it works differently in the BIOS settings.  Read up on the the F10 SetUp Utility from this manual starting on page 57.  There are more tips starting on page 61 under the "Computer Setup—Security" regarding the issues you are experiencing.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05381695.pdf

[suniron]

After did many tried with different combinations of options in the BIOS (nothing work..) and also  reset security + factory reset, I tried to disable all front USB ports + SATA port by the PORT OPTIONS menu.

After this change, my computer can't boot again: the power led is up + the two fans are ON during nearly 30s ans the computer is restarted automatically. During all this time, nothing appears to the screen (HDMI or DP) and I didn't see any LED on USB keys, keyboard, mouse...

To fix this, I tried to remove the BIOS  battery🔋, stay pressed the power button during 30s, removing all RAM (I have beep + red light), but nothing work..

So for now, my PC is completely broken 😨, I can't boot anymore...

I didn't find a way to rescue my machine..

I need some help 😨

[TheOldMan]

This sounds very familiar to this thread

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Boot-and-Lockup/Fails-to-detect-bootable-USB-drive/m-p/8963142...

Even though they ate not the same PC, the Business Environment is the same and it has to be handled the same way.

I tried to explain the F10 Utility, so look at that again in the manual  because I think that is where the answer is, and read that other thread for advice.

You may need to restore the USB ports instead of disable. (as you noted)

[suniron]

Thank's for your answer!

I'll look the other thread if I solved my new problem where my computer won't start.

I have just an LED light on the mother board about "CR1 aux power" and the computer reboot in loop after nearly 10s. This problem appears after disabling the front USB ports in BIOS.

I tried with another power supply (65w instead of 90w) and the computer did 5 times the sequence of 3 slow beeps + red light then 4 quick beeps + white light.

So... For now, I can't start my computer to access to the BIOS.

Do you have an idea about this problem? Do i need to create an other topic for this?

[TheOldMan]

The beep codes are also in the manual I linked above and now here.  On page 102 is where the codes and explanations start Under "Interpreting system validation diagnostic front panel LEDs and audible codes" and following.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05381695.pdf

The codes 3 slow beeps + red light then 4 quick beeps + white light according to that table indicates "The system board displays a power failure (crowbar).*"

Explained with more detail here in the post by Lil Boy Blue which contains a table with the possible solutions.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Workstations-and-Point-of-Sale-Systems/3-4-beeps-in-all-i...

Also here with an explanation by @DGroves for the "crowbar" term.  Disregard the comments after the term's explanation.

this error "crowbar" means that you have a short on the power supply line(s)

this short could be due to a bad motherboard or a bad power supply

[suniron]

Of course, I only got these beeps when I tried to use another power supply (65w) instead of the original working one (90w). This was just a little cross-check to make sure the computer recognizes a bad power supply.

But for the moment, the main problem is with the restart loop when I plug in the original power supply: I hear the fans running and see the white power-on light for almost 30 seconds (but nothing on the HDMI/DP screen or any LED on a wired keyboard, USB key, ...) then the fans + power-on light go out for 3 seconds then the computer starts again, in a loop.

[TheOldMan]

So now, along with the original posting, the USB ports are not working at all (which means no keyboard or mouse) and no display.

Did this PC have a working Windows install before the Linux attempts?  If yes, I would install the original hard drive and see if the display comes back.  I am out of suggestions, otherwise.

[suniron]

Debian 11 was installed on the original disk. I put it back but nothing new happens...

It's really strange because the computer has never rebooted since I changed the power option for the front USB ports and SATA from the BIOS :'(

[TheOldMan]

Sorry, perhaps some else might see this thread and come up with an idea.