Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on Precision Workstation Systems.

Following is information on how to clear the CMOS/NVRAM on Dell Precision Workstation systems. The information only goes back to the Precision 330 system.

On newer systems, the factory default settings can be reloaded through the System Setup by pressing Alt-F, or by going to the Maintenance screen and selecting Load Defaults. This procedure does not clear the NVRAM however.


For all systems, even those older than the 330, the CMOS/NVRAM can be cleared by the following procedure:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the CMOS setting.

Remove the computer cover.
Locate the CMOS battery on the system board.
Note the orientation of the battery, usually the plus side is up, and remove it.
Wait for 3 to 5 minutes for the CMOS to clear.
Replace the battery in the socket.
Replace the computer cover.
Plug the system and devices back into the electrical outlets and turn them on.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; T3400, 360

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the CMOS setting.

Remove the computer cover.
Locate the 4-pin CMOS jumper (RTCRST_PSWD) on the system board.
Move the 2-pin jumper plug from pins 3 and 4 to pins 1 and 2.
Wait five seconds for the CMOS to clear.
Move the 2-pin jumper plug back to pins 3 and 4.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 390

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the CMOS setting.

Remove the Computer cover.
Locate the RTCRST jumper on the system board.
Remove the plug from the single pin and place it on both pins and wait for 3-5 seconds.
Move the plug back to the single pin.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 490, 690

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet.

Remove the Computer cover.
Locate the PSWD and the RTCRST jumper on the system board.
Remove the plug from the PSWD jumper and place it on both pins of the RTCRST jumper.
Plug the system back into the outlet for 10 seconds.
Move the plug back to the PSWD jumper.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 380

By Jumper:

Remove the Computer cover.
Locate the RTCRST jumper on the system board.
Move the plug from pin 1 and 2 to pin 2 and 3, wait for 3 to 5 seconds, then move the plug back.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 370

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet.

Reset the current CMOS settings:
Locate the 3-pin CMOS jumper (CLR CMOS) on the system board.
Remove the jumper plug from pins 2 and 3.
Place the jumper plug on pins 1 and 2 and wait approximately 5 seconds.
Replace the jumper plug on pins 2 and 3.
Close the computer cover.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 470, 670

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet.

Remove the Computer cover.
Locate the PSWD and the RTCRST jumper on the system board.
Remove the plug from the PSWD jumper and place it on both pins of the RTCRST jumper.
Move the plug back to the PSWD jumper.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 360

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the CMOS setting.

Remove the computer cover.
Locate the 4-pin CMOS jumper (RTCRST_PSWD) on the system board.
Move the 2-pin jumper plug from pins 3 and 4 to pins 1 and 2.
Wait five seconds for the CMOS to clear.
Move the 2-pin jumper plug back to pins 3 and 4.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.

By System Setup

ALT + E With the keyboard lights lit, Clears the ESCD information stored in the NVRAM.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 650, 450, 530, 330

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet.

Remove the Computer cover.
Locate the PSWD and the RTCRST jumper on the system board.
Remove the plug from the PSWD jumper and place it on both pins of the RTCRST jumper.
Move the plug back to the PSWD jumper.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.

By System Setup

ALT + E With the keyboard lights lit, Clears the ESCD information stored in the NVRAM.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 350, 340

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet.

Remove the Computer cover.
Locate the RTCRST jumper on the system board.
Move the plug from pin 1 and 2 to pin 2 and 3, wait for 3 to 5 seconds, then move the plug back.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.

By System Setup

ALT + E With the keyboard lights lit, Clears the ESCD information stored in the NVRAM.


Clearing the CMOS/NVRAM on; 730

By Jumper:

The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet.

Remove the Computer cover.
Locate the J29 jumper on the system board.
Move the plug from pin 1 and 2 to pin 2 and 3, wait for 5 seconds, then move the plug back.
Replace the computer cover.
Connect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.