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Gigabyte server motherboards do not all use the same BIOS recovery jumper label or pin layout. Find the exact motherboard model and revision, then use its manual to locate the recovery header and confirm which pins to bridge. On several documented three-pin boards, pins 1–2 are the normal position and pins 2–3 enable recovery—but that is not a universal rule.
Find the right recovery header for your board
Look in the manual for your exact motherboard model and revision. Gigabyte documentation uses several names for recovery headers, including BIOS_RCVR, BIOS_RVCR, BIOS_REV, and BIOS_JP1. Their locations and pin assignments can differ, so do not move a cap based only on a label or instructions for another board.
For example, the T181-Z70 manual labels its recovery header BIOS_RCVR and lists CLR_CMOS separately; the GA-7TEWH1 manual uses BIOS_RVCR. These examples illustrate why the board’s own manual—not a generic Gigabyte pin map—should guide the procedure.
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On the documented three-pin examples, pins 1–2 are the normal/default position and pins 2–3 select BIOS recovery mode. Verify the numbering and the recovery position in your board manual before moving the jumper. Other layouts may differ.
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How to use the BIOS recovery jumper safely
- Shut down the server and disconnect AC power. Remove the AC power cord or cords before touching the header.
- Identify the recovery header. Use the manual for your exact motherboard model and revision to locate the header and confirm its label and pin numbers.
- Move the cap to the manual’s recovery position. Do not assume the recovery pins are the same across models.
- Carry out the board-specific recovery operation. The procedure may require prepared USB recovery media or a vendor firmware image. Follow the board’s instructions and check its latest BIOS release notes for definitive model-specific guidance.
- Power down again and restore the normal position. Remove recovery media, disconnect power before handling the jumper, and return the cap to the default pins before attempting a normal boot.
Intel’s server recovery guidance also describes moving the jumper, booting with recovery media, powering down, and returning the cap to its default position. It stresses that the board’s own technical specification and current BIOS release notes govern the exact procedure.
BIOS recovery is not the same as clearing CMOS
The BIOS recovery header selects a firmware-recovery mode. CLR_CMOS resets saved BIOS configuration values to defaults; it does not itself provide replacement firmware. Gigabyte manuals treat these as separate functions, often on separate headers.
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For a CMOS reset, Gigabyte instructs users to turn off power and remove the motherboard’s power cord first. Its FAQ describes temporarily shorting the CLR_CMOS pins with a jumper cap—or touching them with a metal object for a few seconds—then loading BIOS defaults after restart. Follow the instructions for your board rather than applying that CMOS procedure to the BIOS recovery header.
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If the original cap is missing or damaged, look for a motherboard BIOS recovery jumper cap, also called a jumper shunt or shorting cap. Match its fit to the board header: check the pin count, spacing, and the position required by the manual. The reviewed Gigabyte documentation does not establish one universal cap dimension for every server board, so confirm mechanical compatibility before installing a replacement.
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If the server still will not recover
Recheck that you used the correct model and revision manual, the recovery header rather than CLR_CMOS, and the specified recovery media and pin position. If the documented procedure does not restore operation, the available guidance does not establish a universal next step for all Gigabyte server boards; contact Gigabyte or an authorized service provider for board-specific diagnosis.
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