Dell 'Support Assist'

Funkyecat · Jun 18, 2022

Windows 11, Dell 3060: About a week now, when I first boot up I recently got the Support Assist page to set date and tine. It is inactive, Not windows. When I reboot it works fine with current date and time. Not Windows, but Dell computer. How do I get rid of this, if I can?

The-Hive · Jun 18, 2022

I may be missing something obvious but I don't understand the problem. Sa is about as useful as a cup of tea in the rain IMO so I deleted it and check the Dell webpage with my service tag

CornishRattler · Jun 18, 2022

The-Hive said:
I may be missing something obvious but I don't understand the problem. Sa is about as useful as a cup of tea in the rain IMO so I deleted it and check the Dell webpage with my service tag

I agree, DSA is one of the most annoying and useless pieces of bloatware of any manufacturer, to the OP, why does Windows not set the time and date?

glasskuter · Jun 18, 2022

If you are getting a pre-boot message regarding date/time not set that is an indication the coin cell cmos battery needs to be changed. It is a CR2032 battery you can buy most any place that sells batteries for less than $5. Once it is replaced you enter bios (f2) and set the date/time.

The service manual for your Dell can be downloaded from Dell site. Support for OptiPlex 3060 | Documentation | Dell US
Choose the correct download for the form factor of you PC.

The-Hive · Jun 18, 2022

glasskuter said:
If you are getting a pre-boot message regarding date/time not set that is an indication the coin cell cmos battery needs to be changed. It is a CR2032 battery you can buy most any place that sells batteries for less than $5. Once it is replaced you enter bios (f2) and set the date/time.

The service manual for your Dell can be downloaded from Dell site. Support for OptiPlex 3060 | Documentation | Dell US
Choose the correct download for the form factor of you PC.

I hope it is more accurate than mine was , it showed I had 2 more slots for SSD's not the case when I opened the lid

CornishRattler · Jun 18, 2022

Odd, I've always found Dell manuals to be pretty comprehensive and true to form, the ones I've had anyway.

The-Hive · Jun 18, 2022

CornishRattler said:
Odd, I've always found Dell manuals to be pretty comprehensive and true to form, the ones I've had anyway.

Mine was for the right machine model no mention about any variations of parts but yes, I find them good as a rule, but the one time I needed it it let me down

fireberd · Jun 18, 2022

Support Assist, along with its Windows utilities is also used in the POST (Power On Self Test). I agree the CMOS battery needs replacement.

You can get along without it in Windows and I have it disabled in start up on my Dell laptop. As The HIve says, manually check for updates. This is especially true for BIOS updates. We have seen bricked PC's using SA to update on the Dell Community Forums.

The-Hive · Jun 18, 2022

fireberd said:
Support Assist, along with its Windows utilities is also used in the POST (Power On Self Test). I agree the CMOS battery needs replacement.

You can get along without it in Windows and I have it disabled in start up on my Dell laptop. As The HIve says, manually check for updates. This is especially true for BIOS updates. We have seen bricked PC's using SA to update on the Dell Community Forums.

The few BIOS updates I have done recently SA would not let you update through itself, it has to be done manually and also be plugged into the mains

cereberus · Jun 18, 2022

Most new pcs do not have a CMOS battery any more and use a fixed rechargeable battery. This is a PITA in some cases e.g. when you need to jump into the boot menu when you need to disable fastboot (not fast start).

glasskuter · Jun 18, 2022

I was going by his cpu and that it's a PC which leads me to believe it's an older Optiplex 3060 from 2018. Can't speak for other new desktops but the Optiplexes still have removable cmos batteries. I would think any business grade machine would. But yeah, I wouldn't have a PC that didn't have one I can replace. Hope this one lasts me til I die.