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System Setup Program: Dell™ Dimension™ 8100 System Reference

	Overview
	Entering the System Setup Program
	Main Screen

Overview

Each time you turn on or restart your computer, it compares the hardware installed in the computer to the hardware listed in the configuration information stored in NVRAM on the system board. If the computer detects a discrepancy between the two, it generates error messages that identify the incorrect configuration setting(s). The computer then prompts you to enter the system setup program to correct the setting(s).

You can use the system setup program as follows:

• To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer

• To set or change user-selectable options (like the user password)

Dell recommends that you write down the system setup program screen information for future reference.

The system setup screens are organized as follows:

• Title — The area at the top of all system setup screens that displays your computer's model numbers.
  
  
• Computer data — Two boxes below the title that display the system processor, L2 cache, service tag, and the version number of the BIOS.
  
  
• Options — A scrollable box listing options that define the configuration of your computer (including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features).

Fields to the right of the listed options contain settings or values. The settings and values that you can change are brighter on the screen. All other settings and values are set by the computer and cannot be changed. When <Enter> appears to the right of an option, press <Enter> to access a pop-up menu of additional options.

• Key functions — A line of boxes across the bottom of all system setup screens that lists keys and their functions within the system setup program.
  
  
• Help — A tool that allows you to find information on the selected (highlighted) option by pressing <F1>.

Entering the System Setup Program

1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
   
   
2. When F2 = Setup appears in the upper-right corner of the screen, press <F2>.
   
   If you wait too long and the operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation. Then restart the computer and try again.

Main Screen

The Main screen contains the BIOS settings for your computer. The default settings are shown below. Follow the instructions located at the bottom of the Main screen to modify your system BIOS.

The following table shows the main screen menu options.

The following table shows CPU option information.

The following table shows integrated device options.

The following table shows parallel port options.

The following table shows system security options.

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