Using the Password Features: Dell� OptiPlex� 4xxLe (4XXDL)
Using the
Password Features: OptiPlex 4xxLe (4XXDL)
Using the System
Password Feature | Using the Setup Password
Feature
Using the
System Password Feature
The System Password
Feature
Assigning a System
Password
Using
the System Password to Secure the System
Changing an
Existing System Password
Disabling a
Forgotten System Password
The System
Password Feature
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NOTE: The password features provide
a basic level of security for the data on the system.
However, these features are not foolproof. If the data
requires more security, it is the responsibility to
obtain and use additional forms of protection. |
A system password can be assigned in the System Setup program.
After a system password is assigned, only those who know the
password have full use of the system.
When the System Password category is set to Enabled, the
computer system prompts for the system password just before the
system boots.
To change an existing system password, the user must know the
password or change the jumper on the
system board.
If a system password is forgotten, remove the computer cover
and change a jumper setting to disable the system
password feature.
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CAUTION: If the system is left
running and unattended without having a system password
assigned, anyone can access the data stored in the
system. |
Assigning a
System Password
With a system password assigned, the status shown in the
System Password category is Enabled. With the system password
feature disabled by a jumper setting on the system board, the
status shown is Disabled By Jumper. A new system password cannot
be changed or entered if either of these options is displayed.
With no system password assigned and with the password jumper
on the system board in the enabled position (its default
setting), the status shown in the System Password category field
is Not Enabled.
Only when this category is set to Not Enabled can a system
password be assigned, using the following procedure:
- Turn on (or reboot) the system, and press
<Ctrl><Alt><Enter> to enter the System
Setup program.
- Press the <Alt><p> key combination to move to
Page 2 of the System Setup screens.
- Press the <Tab> key or the <Shift><Tab>
key combination to highlight the System Password
category.
Highlighting the System Password category
causes help information related to the current password
status to appear in the Help window.
- If the current status displayed is Not Enabled, press the
left- or right-arrow key. The category
heading changes to Enter Password, followed by an empty
7-character field in square brackets.
- Type in the new system password. Up to 7
characters can be used in the password. The
password assignment operation recognizes keys by their
location on the keyboard, without distinguishing between
lowercase and uppercase characters. For example, the
system recognizes either M or m as correct.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If
an invalid key combination is entered, a beep sounds. To erase a character when
entering the password, press the <Backspace> key or the
left-arrow key.
To escape from the field without
assigning a system password, press the <Tab> key or the
<Shift><Tab> key combination to move the
highlight to another field, or press the <Esc> key at
any time before completing step 7.
- Press <Enter>.
If the new system password contains fewer
than 7 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders.
Then the category heading changes to Verify Password,
followed by another empty 7-character field in square
brackets.
- To confirm the password, type it in a second time and
then press <Enter>.
The password setting changes to Enabled.
The system
password is now operational.
When the system is turned off and on or press the reset
button, the following prompt appears on the screen:
Type in the password and ...
- press <Enter> to leave password security enabled.
- press <Ctrl><Enter> to disable password security.
Enter password:
After entering the correct system password and pressing
<Enter>, the system boots and the keyboard can be used to
operate the system as usual.
If a wrong or incomplete system password is entered, the
following message appears on the screen:
** Incorrect password. **
Enter password:
If an incorrect or incomplete system password is entered
again, the same message appears on the screen.
The third and subsequent times an incorrect or incomplete system
password is entered, the system displays the following message:
** Incorrect password. **
Number of unsuccessful password attempts: 3
System halted! Must power down.
The number of unsuccessful attempts made to enter the correct
system password can reveal an unauthorized person attempting to
use the system.
Even after the system is turned off and on, the previous
message is displayed each time an incorrect or incomplete system
password is entered.
Changing
an Existing System Password
To disable an existing system password, perform the following
steps:
- When prompted, type in the system password.
- Instead of pressing <Enter> to continue with the
normal operation of the system, press the
<Ctrl><Enter> key combination to disable the
existing system password.
- Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the System
Password category of the System Setup program.
- Reboot the system and press
<Ctrl><Alt><Enter> to enter the
System Setup program.
- Then press the <Alt><p>
key combination to move to Page 2 of the System Setup
screens.
- If Not Enabled appears in the System
Password category, go to step 4.
- If Not Enabled is not displayed for
the System Password category, press
<Alt><b> to exit the program and reboot
the system. Then repeat steps 1 through 3.
- To assign a new password, follow the procedure in Assigning a System
Password.
Disabling
a Forgotten System Password
Disabling the password involves going inside the computer and
changing a jumper setting (twice) on the system board.
- Remove the computer cover.
- Remove the jumper plug from the EPWD jumper to disable
the password.
- Turn on the computer. Powering up the system with the
EPWD jumper set to the disabled position erases the
existing password. Before assigning a new system
password, reset the EPWD jumper to the enabled position.
- Turn off the computer.
- Replace the jumper plug on the EPWD jumper to enable the
password(s).
- Replace the computer cover.
- Assign a new system
password.
Using the
Setup Password Feature
|
NOTE: This feature is available only
on OptiPlex systems. |
The Setup Password
Feature
Assigning a Setup Password
Changing an
Existing Setup Password
Disabling a
Forgotten Setup Password
The Setup
Password Feature
A setup password can be assigned through the System Setup
program. After a setup password is assigned, only those who know
the password will be able to enter the System Setup program.
When the Setup Password category is set to Enabled, the computer
system prompts for the setup password just before the system
boots.
If a setup password is assigned and then forgotten, remove the
computer cover and change a jumper setting to disable the setup
password feature. Note that the system password is erased at
the same time.
Assigning a
Setup Password
With a setup password assigned, the status shown in the Setup
Password category is Enabled. With the setup password feature
disabled by a jumper setting on the system board, the status
shown is Disabled By Jumper.
With no setup password assigned and with the password jumper on
the system board in the enabled position (its default setting),
the status shown in the Setup Password category field is Not
Enabled. Only when this category is set to Not Enabled can a
setup password be assigned, using the following procedure:
- Turn on (or reboot) the system, and press
<Ctrl><Alt><Enter> to enter the System
Setup program.
- Press the <Alt><p> key combination to move to
Page 2 of the System Setup screens.
- Press the <Tab> key or the <Shift><Tab>
key combination to highlight the Setup Password category.
Highlighting the Setup Password category
causes help information related to the current password
status to appear in the Help window.
- If the current status displayed is Not Enabled, press the
left- or right-arrow key.
The category heading changes to Enter
Password, followed by an empty 7-character field in square
brackets.
- Type in the new setup password.
The password assignment operation
recognizes keys by their location on the keyboard, without
distinguishing between lowercase and uppercase characters.
Certain key combinations are not valid. If
an invalid key combination is entered, a beep sounds.
To erase a character when entering the
password, press the <Backspace> key or the left-arrow
key.
To escape from the field without assigning
a setup password, press the <Tab> key or the
<Shift><Tab> key combination to move the
highlight to another field, or press the <Esc> key at
any time before completing step 7.
- Press <Enter>.
If the new setup password contains fewer
than 7 characters, the whole field fills with placeholders.
Then the category heading changes to Verify Password,
followed by another empty 7-character field in square
brackets.
- To confirm the password, type it in a second time and
then press <Enter>.
The password setting changes to Enabled.
The setup password is now operational.
To disable an existing setup password, perform the following
steps:
- When prompted, type in the setup password.
- Instead of pressing <Enter> to continue with the
normal operation of the system, press the
<Ctrl><Enter> key combination to disable the
existing setup password.
- Confirm that Not Enabled is displayed for the Setup
Password category of the System Setup program.
- Reboot the system and press
<Ctrl><Alt><Enter> to enter the
System Setup program.
- Then press the <Alt><p> key combination
to move to Page 2 of the System Setup screens.
- If Not Enabled appears in the Setup Password
category, go to step 4.
- If Not Enabled is not displayed for the Setup
Password category, press <Alt><> to exit
the program and reboot the system. Then repeat steps
1 through 3.
- To assign a new password, follow the procedure in Assigning a Setup
Password.
Disabling
a Forgotten Setup Password
If the setup password is forgotten, the user won't be able to
operate the system or change settings in the System Setup
program, respectively, until the password is disabled. Disabling
the password involves going inside the computer and changing a
jumper setting (twice) on the system board.
- Remove the computer cover.
- Remove the jumper plug from the EPWD jumper to disable
the password(s).
- Turn on the computer. Powering up the system with the
EPWD jumper set to the disabled position erases the
existing password. Before a new setup password is
assigned, reset the EPWD jumper to the enabled position.
- Turn off the computer.
- Replace the jumper plug on the EPWD jumper to enable the
password.
- Replace the computer cover.
- Assign a new setup
password.
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