Invalid Configuration Information

I did a search for this topic on this forum already as well as Google but not finding an answer to my issue. I find plenty of references to my problem but something is preventing me from being able to resolve this.

I have a Dell XPS M1710 laptop here at work that somebody put a BIOS password on. There is no record of what the password is so I tried taking out the CMOS battery thinking I could reset the BIOS.

Now when the laptop boots up I get a "Invalid COnfiguration Information - Please run Setup:.

I know to press F2 to enter setup but it does not let me.

I tried rebooting it and spamming F2 but no luck there as well, it just goes to the error.

I tried removing the battery and waiting a while, removing the hard drive, RAM just to eliminate the possibility of something else causing it but no success.

I do not even get the message to press F2 to enter setup.

 

Removing CMOS won't clear that password. It's stored on an EEPROM on the board.

It's possible you might have damaged the motherboard if no F2 prompt comes up. Of course, it is also possible that the CMOS battery needs to be replaced.

Try leaving it on at the error message and see if goes past that error to show a F2 prompt. If it hasn't after 30-45 minutes, it probably isn't going to.

Since you had it apart, you might disassemble and check your connections. Reseat the processor and check all of the other hardware. Hopefully, you just missed a connection.

On a related note, if it's your company's laptop, you should be able to confirm that the ownership on the system and have Dell give you the BIOS password. I would suggest going through chat to do so.

Some other websites for info:

Google search for your topic: Google
Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program. - Chipsets-Bios - Motherboards-Memory
P. 49 on the owner's manual: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsm1710/en/om/om_en.pdf

 

Thanks for the suggestions