Alert Cover was Previously Removed Message Appears on a Dell Laptop

Summary: Learn about the alert message about the computer cover when starting the laptop.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

One of the following messages may appear when starting the laptop:

  1. Alert! Cover was previously removed. Note: This warning can be disabled in BIOS setup
    Alert Cover was previously removed. Note This warning can be disabled in BIOS setup 
  2. Alert! Cover was previously removed. You must clear the warning from BIOS Setup
    Alert Cover was previously removed. You must clear the warning from BIOS Setup 

Affected Platforms:

  •  Alienware 16 Area-51 AA16250
  •  Alienware 18 Area-51 AA18250
  •  Dell 14 Premium DA14250
  •  Dell 16 DC16250
  •  Dell 16 DC16251
  •  Dell 16 DC16255
  •  Dell 16 DC16256
  •  Dell Pro 13 Premium PA13250
  • Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14250
  • DELL Pro 14 Plus PB14255
  • Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250
  • Dell Pro Max 14 Premium MA14250
  • Dell Pro Max 16 Plus MB16250
  • Dell Pro Max 16 Premium MA16250
  • Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250
  • Latitude 7350 Detachable
  • Precision 3490
  • XPS 13 9345

Cause

Message 1 appears when the base cover was removed previously, the Chassis Intrusion in BIOS is set to Enabled, and Block Boot Until Cleared is set to Off.

Message 2 appears when the base cover was removed previously, the Chassis Intrusion in BIOS is set to Enabled, and Block Boot Until Cleared is set to On.

Resolution

The default setting for Chassis Intrusion is On-Silent and for Block Boot Until Cleared is Off.

  1. Select On-Silent or Disabled for Chassis Intrusion.
    Select On-Silent or Disabled for Chassis Intrusion.
  2. Select OFF for Block Boot Until Cleared.
    Select OFF for Block Boot Until Cleared.
Note: For additional security, Dell Technologies recommends keeping the Chassis Intrusion Detection option enabled. See the Service Manual for more information: Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product

Affected Products

Alienware 16 Area-51 AA16250, Alienware 18 Area-51 AA18250, XPS 14 (Dell 14 Premium) DA14250, Dell 16 DC16250, Dell 16 DC16251, Dell 16 DC16255, Dell 16 DC16256, Dell Pro Max 14 Premium MA14250, Dell Pro Max 16 Premium MA16250 , Dell Pro Max 16 Plus MB16250, Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250, Dell Pro 13 Premium PA13250, Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250, Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14250, Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14255, Latitude 7350 Detachable, Precision 3490, XPS 13 9345 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000401280
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 24 May 2026
Version:  2
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