If your Dell laptop has a nonremovable battery, see the Dell knowledge base article How to Reset Real Time Clock (RTC) to Recover Your Dell Laptop. For model-specific information, see the User Manual of the Dell computer.

If you are using a Dell laptop, disconnect the battery from the computer.

NOTE: The CMOS battery cannot be reseated on all Dell laptops.

Follow the steps below if the PSWD or RTCRST jumpers are not accessible on a Dell desktop or if you are using a Dell laptop. This process is applicable for both Dell desktops and laptops. The BIOS can be reset to factory defaults my reseating the CMOS battery that is connected to the system board. How to clear the BIOS, CMOS, or NVRAM by reseating the CMOS battery Connect the power cable to the computer and turn on the computer.įigure 1: Illustration of the jumpers on the system board of a Dell desktop computer.For model-specific information, see the User Manual of the Dell desktop. Move the 2-pin jumper plug back to the password jumper.Disconnect the power cable from the computer.Plug the power cable to the computer and wait for 10 seconds for the CMOS to clear.Move the 2-pin jumper plug from the password jumper to the pins on the CMOS jumper.Locate the 2-pin CMOS jumper labeled RTCRST on the system board.Locate the 2-pin password jumper labeled PSWD on the system board.Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cable from the computer.Before you begin, follow the Safety Precautions When Working with Electronic and Electrical Equipment.For more information about jumper locations, see the User Manual of the Dell desktop. NOTE: The location of the RTCRST and PSWD jumper varies between different Dell desktops.

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