T7500 bootup is stuck after MPT boot successful

I have an old workhorse that has served me for years. Today I made a computer format, everything was alright, I started reinstalling apps and then the computer just froze. I restarted it and ever since this time it can’t boot up.

1. After the HBA finds the devices @ 0, and the notice of "MPT boot ROM successfully installed!", the system just hangs
2. BIOS is inaccessible. I can get to the 'one time boot menu', it finds the boot drive, USB option, System Setup, Diagnostics,... but no matter what I select, it still freezes.
3. I can access the SAS configuration setup, but am not sure what could be different.