Dust Filter alert

Weird. This is a stand-alone computer, or is it on a true Windows-Server (local domain) network?

I haven't, so be sure to check PDF manuals for a dust-filter.

Has it been tampered-with? If it has one, maybe the tamper-switch got tripped.

If you feel confident about looking inside ... shut-down Windows, turn-off, and look inside for dust and that all fans inside are still working.

Also, did you see that it says to press F6 ?

Re:  For some reason it will not let me boot into the BIOS settings to disable the error, I have tried pressing f2 upon startup but it goes straigh

replace cmos battery w a new one then clear cmos settings by motherboard jumper

In the BIOS Setup menu, navigate to System Configuration > Dust Filter Maintenance and select from any of the following intervals:
15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, or 180 days.
NOTE: Default setting: Disabled.
NOTE: Alerts are generated only during a system re-boot and not during normal OS operation.

what is strange is that BIOS dust filter option seems to be documented for Optiplex 7080/7090 5080 5090 models, also 5070 5060 and later models.

perhaps it was implemented in earlier older model such as 5050 but not documented in manual?

if i guess correctly, it is merely a reminder to user to change filter periodically but bios itself does not actively detect a passive filter being present or being dirty etc.  it is just a bios built in "user friendly" feature like a maintenance calendar.

OP so if the PC has no physical dust filter present, bios would still send you reminder msg periodically.

Dust Filter Maintenance Allows you to enable or disable BIOS messages for maintaining the optional dust filter that
is installed in your computer. BIOS will generate a pre-boot reminder to clean or replace the
dust filter based on the interval set. The option Disabled is selected by default.
● Disabled
● 15 days
● 30 days
● 60 days
● 90 days
● 120 days
● 150 days
● 180 days

Yes it's just a reminder message usually disappears after 10 seconds the 5050 that I have does not come with a dust filter so I I'm not sure as to why it is giving me a warning to replace it. Could you explain to me what it means to "replace cmos battery w a new one then clear cmos settings by motherboard jumper" is this merely a replacement of the small coin battery inside the PC I remove the cooling fan?

@Tesla1856​ I was looking at the manual and it stated to press f2 upon startup however whenever I start the PC it immediately moves to the dust filter maintenance reset and doesn't allow me to have any user input but instead disappears after 10 seconds

Re:  is this merely a replacement of the small coin battery inside the PC

correct.  this hopefully will enable you to enter BIOS and disable the Dust Filter option.

If you still can not enter bios after replacing coin battery, try clear cmos by using the motherboard CMOS CLR jumper.

Re:  I have does not come with a dust filter so I I'm not sure as to why it is giving me a warning to replace it.

the BIOS message will appear whether or not a filter is present.  There is no way the BIOS can detect a filter is installed or not.  This BIOS feature is just a calendar for user who has the filter installed to periodically replace it.

While your pc has no filter, this BIOS feature by Dell factory default is still turned on.  you just need to disable it (if you can enter bios).  The msg would not reappear for you (unless BIOS is reset to default again).