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Article Number: 000128677

How to reset the BIOS of a Dell PowerEdge Server?

Summary: BIOS settings can be reverted to factory mode.

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content

Symptoms

This article explains how to restore the BIOS defaults settings on a Dell PowerEdge Server. This procedure may be valid for other Dell products.

Table of Contents 

  1. Restore the BIOS defaults settings
  2. Clearing the BIOS using the motherboard Jumper

1.  Restore the BIOS defaults settings on a Dell PowerEdge Server.

 

SLN302725_en_US__1icon Note: This article is part of the Server Tutorials: Support Tools, available here.
 
SLN302725_en_US__2icon Caution: Resetting your BIOS will clear all setting back to defaults this may prevent your system from booting to the operating system until custom settings are reapplied.

Please following the steps to restore the BIOS defaults settings in the system setup page.

  1. Power on the system.

  2. While the blue Dell logo is visible, press the < F2 > key to enter the System Setup.


    SLN302725_en_US__3bios1
  3. Enter the "System BIOS" section
    SLN302725_en_US__4image(10597)
  4. Click on the button "Default" in the low-end corner.

    SLN302725_en_US__5image(10598)

    SLN302725_en_US__6bios3
  5. A popup will ask the confirmation of action, press "Yes".
  6. The BIOS settings are now reset.
     
If it doesn't work try the following sequence:
  • Press the < Num Lock > key, and verify that the Num Lock light is on.
  • Press the < Caps Lock > key, and verify that the Caps Lock light is on.
  • Press the < Scroll Lock > key, and verify that the Scroll Lock light is on. The lights on the keyboard should all be illuminated as in Figure 1.
  • Press the < Alt >+< F > keys at the same time. The system will beep as the setup defaults are restored.

The image of key mapping and light location for your reference 
SLN302725_en_US__7image(11034)
 


2. Clearing the BIOS using the motherboard Jumper (Desktop/Servers only)
 

Located the jumpers on the system motherboard normally next to the coin cell battery is the 
NVRAM_CLR  / PWRD_EN  jumpers these can be used to reset your BIOS

Example Motherboard 
SLN302725_en_US__8image(12474)

   
Jumper Setting Description
NVRAM_CLR     SLN302725_en_US__9image(12473)(default) The configuration settings are retained at system boot (pins 3-5)
  SLN302725_en_US__10image(12472) The configuration settings are cleared at the next system boot (pins 1-3)
PWRD_EN     SLN302725_en_US__10image(12472)(default) The password feature is enabled (pins 2-4)
  SLN302725_en_US__9image(12473) The password feature is disabled (pins 4-6)
 

Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
Open the System.
Remove the jumper plug from the NVRAM_CLR  jumper. See the Figure above to locate the password jumper (labeled "NVRAM_CLR ") on the system board.
Move the Jumper from Pin's 3-5 to pins 1-3 for ten seconds 
Move the jumper back to Pins 3-5 (default)
Close the system.
Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the system.

You will need to enter the system BIOS and re-enter the time and date and settings required.




 

Cause

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Resolution


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Article Properties

Affected Product

Servers

Last Published Date

20 Sept 2021

Version

4

Article Type

Solution

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