Here's a unique, concise "How To" title under 65 characters based on your content: How to Troubleshoot and Fix a Dead HP Elite 8300 After RAID Setup

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If you’re using an Dell PowerEdge Elite 8300 SFF as a game server or for other purposes and decide to enable RAID in the BIOS to stripe two drives, you might run into some issues afterward. Here’s a simple guide on what might happen and how to troubleshoot it.

Initially, you changed the BIOS setting from AHCI to RAID, following the motherboard manual instructions. After rebooting to set up the RAID, your system isn’t starting properly anymore. Now, all you see is no video output, but the fans are running loudly, indicating power but no display. Sometimes, after multiple reboots, your system makes a loud beep, and the Num Lock and Ctrl+Alt+Del keys respond, but the screen remains blank until you power cycle the computer again, only to face the same no-display problem coupled with fan noise.

You’ve already tried several common fixes. You swapped the RAM sticks, moving them from slot to slot, and tested with six different memory modules – ruling out faulty RAM. You’ve reset the CMOS four times, removing the CMOS battery and resetting the BIOS settings. You unplugged the system, reset CMOS, and reinserted the battery, yet there’s no change. You also tried swapping the power supply unit three times, and since you have three different PSUs, it’s unlikely they’re all dead.

Additionally, your CPU was replaced just a week ago, and it was running well with good temperatures—between 30-39°C at idle and reaching 65°C at maximum load.

So, what has gone wrong? The change in BIOS settings to enable RAID can sometimes cause serious boot issues if the configuration isn’t perfect or if the system doesn’t recognize the drives properly. This can lead to a no-POST (Power-On Self-Test) condition, resulting in no display and persistent system fan noise.

Here are some steps to fix this:

Reset BIOS to Default Settings: Turn off the system completely, unplug it from power, and remove the CMOS battery. Wait for at least five minutes to drain residual power. Reinsert the CMOS battery and power on. If the system boots normally afterward, go into BIOS and restore default settings. Be cautious with RAID settings unless you’re ready to rebuild the RAID array.
Revert BIOS to AHCI Mode: If enabling RAID causes boot issues, switch back to AHCI mode in BIOS. This often restores normal booting without interfering with drive operation for non-RAID setups.
Check Video Output and Connections: Sometimes BIOS changes can disable certain outputs. Ensure your monitor is properly connected. If using integrated graphics, test with different ports or cables.
Update BIOS: Download the latest BIOS version from Dell’s support website. Updating the BIOS can resolve compatibility issues or bugs that cause boot failures after changing storage configurations.
Test with Minimal Hardware: Remove all unnecessary peripherals, drives, and expansion cards. Try booting with only essential components. Sometimes, a faulty drive or expansion card can prevent proper booting.
Consult the Manual or Support: Refer to the Dell manual for specific RAID setup instructions. If issues persist, contacting Dell support might be necessary to avoid hardware damage.

Be cautious when making BIOS changes, especially related to RAID. If you’re unsure, it’s better to seek professional help or carefully follow Dell’s official support resources. Restoring BIOS to default settings is often a safe first step to bring your system back to life.