logkiller

What "Dell oem" are you taking about? PowerEdge server's? PowerVault NAS/SAN/DAS?

- What server is it? Make / Model - Green lights on PSU's? (Usually only on Dell) - If Dell / HP, can you access iDRAC / iLO? - If SuperMicro / Offbrand, can you access impi? - If Dell / HP, can you see anything on the info screen / info LED indicators? Servers can really be finicky, and if something isn't right, it won't post or sound like a Boeing 747 taking off on full thrust constantly, instead of initial takeoff, then throttle down.

First, let's start with this. It honestly would be better to install VMWare ESXi, KVM, or some other OS as a virtualization technology just in case you want to do anything else with the server. It can be installed on a flash drive / SD card mounted inside the server. If the server isn't recognizing / booting from anything in the BIOS, what I'd try is connecting to iLO 2. iLO 2 can emulate virtual media from a ISO file on your local machine, and you can directly control via Java. I'd try to use iLO 2 (It might need to be reset, just Google on how to reset iLO 2, or try default credentials which is on a sticker / tag on the machine)

If you need a Pi, use a guide like this: https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-nextcloud-server/ This is something I totally recommend. Depending on what you need, you can find a cheap Dell 1-2U server for around $100 - $300, and load it with drives. Kinda wish we had a bit more info.

From what I've experienced, Dell R510's, Dell R610s, and HP DL360's are pretty cheap. They can usually be found for $100 - $300 which enough RAM for what you need. Something like this R610 with 48GB of RAM and 2 x 146GB SAS drives is not a bad deal. Also, be careful on older gen Dell servers with PERC RAID cards. They love Dell firmware drives, and generally like Dell branded drives only. If you get a older Dell server, I'd recommend getting something like a H200 or H310 and flashing LSI firmware or putting it in HBA mode to use JBOD.