Reformatting a Dell Dimension 3000

[Swanny32]

i have a dell dimension 3000 and i have reformatted it before and i cant remember which button on the keyboard i hit at start up if any one could help me i would greatly appreciate it

[Rockpig]

F2 is CMOS set up. Is that what your mean?

[Swanny32]

what is cmos its not f2 or f12 i need to completly reformat it like it was when i bought it

[Mike1]

could be f10 or f11, it should tell you anyway when you boot it

[Swanny32]

thats the thing it dont tell you but im pretty sure its f10 too thanx

[photolady]

On a Dell it is always either F1 or F2, F10 is HP/Compaq. And it's BIOS (Basic Input Output System), not CMOS (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor).

[Rockpig]

Forgive me for being a bit out of date Photolady but whatever you call it, I've got a Dell Dimension 3000 and it is definately F2 but I don't think this is the answer Swanny32 wants, is it mate?
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Non-volatile BIOS memory refers to the memory on a personal computer motherboard containing BIOS settings and sometimes the code used to initialize the computer and load the operating system. The non-volatile memory was historically called CMOS RAM or just CMOS because it traditionally used a low-power CMOS memory chip (the Motorola MC146818, or one of its higher-capacity clones), which was powered by a small battery when the system power was off. The term remains in wide use in this context, but has also grown into a misnomer. The non-volatile BIOS storage in contemporary computers might be in an EEPROM or flash memory chip and not in CMOS itself. In these cases, the battery back-up is meant to keep the RTC chip synchronized.

[ViprXX]

At the Dell splash screen try to press and hold the Ctrl key then press the F11 key then release them at the same time.

good luck

[oracle128]

Rockpig, it's BIOS setup that you're talking about. Also, photolady has more experience with brand-name PCs than anyone else around, don't argue with her.

On Dells shipped after 2005 you can press Ctrl+F11 to Restore the system using Norton Ghost.

[photolady]

Rockpig, did you perhaps miss I also said "or" F2?

And below is a link to the Setup portion of a Deminsion 3000; actually, it's the service manual.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1054637

[Rockpig]

I'm sorry, the last people I want to disrespect or argue with are the fine folk of the CyberTechHelp community. I was just tryng to help with the F2 info (I didn't realise Dell dimension 3000s would have different function key functions amongst individual units) and I'll never refer to BIOS setup as CMOS setup ever again. Now, on with the show.....