Ubuntu 20.04 server install failing from live cd

You say you're upgrading them, are you perhaps already running a previous version of Ubuntu? If so, you can just use do-release-upgrade to upgrade.

If you're switching distributions or want a fresh start, download yourself the "network boot" variant (it's called mini.iso) which is Debian Installer based and runs in text mode, which might help in case the graphical UI messes up the DRAC.

The netboot variant is available here for 20.04: http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/focal/main/installer-amd64/current/legacy-images/netboot/

Edit: You don't need PXE environment to boot the mini.iso, just burn it/mount it in remote console and fire away.

Wat you can do:

• Check the checksum of the .ISO if you suspect it is corrupted.
• Are you mounting it from your local machine via VPN? If yes, place it in the datacenter and mount it directly, mounting it from a remote location will slow it down significantly

I've never seen the artifacts on the bottom, but I wouldn't pay much attention to them, it's most probably just a cosmetic display error.

In my experience the boot menu is shown instantly when I press Enter at the screen with the two icons.