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PowerEdge: How to reset the BIOS?

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

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Instructions

Table of Contents 

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

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

Caution: Resetting your BIOS will clear all settings back to default this may prevent your system from booting to the operating system until custom settings are reapplied.

Follow 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.


    Post F2
  3. Enter the "System BIOS" section
    System BIOS section
  4. Click the button "Default" in the low-end corner.

    Close up of Default and Finish

    Popup message
  5. When the confirmation appears, press "Yes."
  6. The BIOS settings are now reset.
     
If it does not 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 simultaneously. The system beeps as the setup defaults are restored.

The image of key mapping and light location for your reference 
Keyboard scheme and hotkeys
 


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

The jumpers on the system motherboard located next to the coin-cell battery are the NVRAM_CLR and PWRD_EN jumpers.
These can be used to reset your BIOS.

Example Motherboard 
Motherboard NVRAM_CLR bridge example

   
Jumper Setting Description
NVRAM_CLR     example setting one(default) The configuration settings are retained at system boot (pins 3-5)
  example setting two The configuration settings are cleared at the next system boot (pins 1-3)
PWRD_EN     example setting three(default) The password feature is enabled (pins 2-4)
  example setting four 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 must enter the system BIOS and reenter the time and date and settings required.

Affected Products

Servers