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Table of contents: Real-Time Clock (RTC) reset Dell Inspiron, OptiPlex, Dell Precision, XPS, and Vostro Desktops equipped with RTC reset Desktop computers with Jumper Reset Option
This section is not applicable.
Real-Time Clock (RTC) reset The Real-Time Clock (RTC) reset function allows you or the service technician to recover Dell Inspiron, OptiPlex, Dell Precision, Vostro, or XPS Desktop computer from issues such as No POST, No Power, and No Boot. Examples of these issues include; Failure to successfully complete the Power-On Self-Test (POST) with a power LED error code ( 2,2 or 2,6 for example) Stops responding at the Dell Splash screen with no keyboard functionality Failure in BIOS updates Inability to select any boot device RTC reset of the motherboard helps to bring the computer to a functional state without replacing any hardware. The legacy jumper that enabled a hardware-based RTC reset has been retired on these models. Start the RTC reset with the computer powered off and connected to AC power. Press and hold the power button for thirty (30) seconds. The RTC Reset occurs after you release the power button. NOTE: Real-Time Clock (RTC) reset is available on select Dell OptiPlex, Inspiron, Dell Precision, Vostro, or XPS Desktop PCs only. For desktop computers launching with RTC Reset functionality, see Table 1 in section Dell Inspiron, OptiPlex, Dell Precision, XPS, and Vostro Desktops equipped with RTC reset . NOTE: The RTC Reset process is aborted if power is removed from the computer during the process or the power button is held less than 25 s or longer than 40 s. The RTC Reset does the following changes. Resets the BIOS settings to Default Unprovisions Intel vPro NOTE: The IT administrator’s vPro account and password on the computer is unprovisioned. The computer should go back through the setup and configuration process again to connect it to the vPro server again. Resets the computer date and time During the reset process, the computer restarts several times and depending on how it is configured. You may see keyboard backlight or other LED indications during the period the power button is held and after it is released. Once the reset is complete, the computer reboots and the Dell Splash screen display indicates reset success. NOTE: Once the RTC reset is complete, the computer may remain in a no boot status until the time, date, and other BIOS settings (SATA drive selections, so on) are correctly set to boot to Windows. Failing to boot immediately after a reset does not mean that the reset has failed. It may also be necessary to restore the previous BIOS settings, such as the SATA Operation mode (ex. RAID On AHCI) for the computer to reboot properly. The following items are unaffected by the RTC reset: If TPM is on and Enabled, the RTC reset does not affect this (Remains on and Enabled) Service Tag Asset Tag Ownership Tag Admin Password System Password Hard drive Password ME/vPro setting Key Databases System Logs These items may or may not be reset based on your custom BIOS setting selections: The Boot List Enable Legacy Option ROMs Secure Boot Enable Allow BIOS Downgrade If you are still experiencing issues with No POST, No BOOT, or No POWER on your Dell computer after performing the RTC reset, and you are unable to find a solution for these symptoms on Dell's support website, you can contact support at the following location: Contact Technical Support . Back to Top Dell Inspiron, OptiPlex, Dell Precision, XPS, and Vostro Desktop computers equipped with RTC reset Table 1: Desktop computers launching with RTC Reset functionality Models Dell G5 5000 MT Dell Precision 3440 SFF Dell Precision 3640 MT Inspiron 3680 SFF Inspiron 3880 MT Inspiron 3881 MT Inspiron 3891 Vostro 3090 MT Vostro 3681 SFF Vostro 3690 Vostro 3881 MT Vostro 3888 MT Vostro 3890 Vostro 5880 MT XPS 8940 MT OptiPlex 21-3280 All-in-One OptiPlex 24-5480 All-in-One OptiPlex 24-7480 All-in-One OptiPlex 27-7780 All-in-One OptiPlex 3080 Micro OptiPlex 3080 SFF OptiPlex 3080 Tower OptiPlex 5080 Micro OptiPlex 5080 SFF OptiPlex 5080 Tower OptiPlex 5090 OptiPlex 7080 Micro OptiPlex 7080 SFF OptiPlex 7080 Tower OptiPlex 7090 Back to Top Desktop computers with Jumper Reset Option Dell desktop computers launched prior to this document have a motherboard jumper-based reset function. If your product was shipped prior to April 2020 and is not listed above, then the computer most likely has a jumper-based reset. See your product service manual for more details. Desktop computers released after products listed in Table 1 have the RTC Reset function enabled by default. Back to Top For more information about Dell Laptop Products, see Dell Knowledge Base article: How to Reset the Real-Time Clock to Recover Your Dell Laptop .
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