I have a Dell Optiplex gx1 550 mtbr+, bios revision A07. When I turn on the computer from a power off state, it goes right to a screen that says "alert cover was previously removed" after a short time it will say "invalid configuration information, please run setup program", it stops there with a blinking dash. If I try to boot it with the reset button, it will go to the Dell startup screen, it will start to boot then after about 2 seconds, it goes to the same screen that says "cover previously removed" It will not respond to pressing f1 and I noticed that it no longer displays in the upper right side of the screen the instructions that indicate to press f1 to enter setup, it is black, nothing there. When I hold down the f1 key, I do get a keyboard error before it gives me the "cover removed" warning. If I unplug the floppy, I get a floppy not detected error, same with the hard drives. When the drives are plugged in correctly, I get no errors but it does not go any farther. I do not hear the floppy start at all, the hard drive spins for a moment when I first turn on or reset, but then stops. I know the hard drive works as I put it into the computer I am using now. I have changed the ribbons, checked the plugs, reseated all the boards and the ram, to make sure nothing was loose, I took out the battery.. it still does the same thing. I cant get into the bios at all. How can I run the setup program it is telling me to run? please help. thanks

Hi, This 'cover removed' is brand new to me. I think you need to search at Dell. Since it's a P3, it's alnost certainly out of warrenty. Taking out the battery often won't clear the CMOS for a very long time. But many mobos have a jumper which will do a CMOS clear. There's no guessing where the jumper is. You'll need a diagram of the mobo. I think there's a lot more to this. But that's the end of my brilliance. Hope there are some Dell owners reading. M2

I have seen this BIOS setting on other store bought computers. It can be set to enabled/disabled. This is something that was designed to prevent component tampering in the business world. Folks try to do all manner of things on the job. To solve your problem I think clearing the CMOS should to the trick. Once the box is up and running again you may want to take a look around in the BIOS to familiarize yourself with all features. By the way, you should find some kind of switch on the side panel of the case.

Just a quick word of caution. If you move the jumper on the motherboard to the "clear cmos" position, DON'T POWER ON THE SYSTEM! Just move the jumper there for a couple of seconds with the PC off, then take it back off, that's all it takes to clear the CMOS. Then power up. Wouldn't want you to fry your BIOS chip that's all. raincheck

i guess i fried the bios, i did turn it on then right off with the jumper on the clear cmos. what can i do now, is it toast? thanks for your replys.

I have seen this before. A government department that deals with personal information (child protection) has their PCs set to do this. What your computer is asking for is the administrator password set in CMOS. Unless you have set a password, it is probably null. That is if you press enter while at the flashing cursor, it should continue. To access BIOS, wait until the splash screen appears before pressing F1. If you hold down this button too early, you will get keyboard errors.

Oops haden't refreshed before posting! I think it is unlikely that you fried BIOS. There are a lot of urban myths floating around. The reason you should move the jumper with the power off, is to disconnect the battery. If this is done with the power on, it won't work!