Using the Setup Password: Dell Dimension XPS P133s, P166s, and P200s
Using the Setup Password: Dell Dimension XPS P133s, P166s,
and P200s
Overview | Assigning a Setup Password
| Operating
With a Setup Password Enabled | Disabling a Setup Password
| Changing an
Existing Setup Password | Disabling a Forgotten
Password
The password features provide a basic level of security for
data on the system. However, these features are not foolproof. If
the data requires more security, it is the user's responsibility
to obtain and use additional forms of protection.
The current status options that can be displayed in the Setup
Password category in the system setup are:
- Not Enabled (the default) — The setup password is
not assigned, and the password jumper is on the system
board.
- Enabled — The setup password is assigned.
- Disabled By Jumper — The setup password
feature is disabled by a jumper setting on the system
board.
Assigning a
Setup Password
A setup password can be assigned (or changed) only when the
Setup Password category is set to Not Enabled. To assign a setup
password, highlight the Setup Password category and press the
left- or right-arrow key. The system prompts you to enter and
verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use,
the system emits a beep.
After you verify the password, the Setup Password setting changes
to Enabled. The next time you enter the system setup program, the
system prompts you for the setup password.
Operating
With a Setup Password Enabled
If Setup Password is set to Enabled, the correct setup
password must be entered before modifying the majority of the
system setup categories, with the following exceptions:
- The Date, Time, CPU Speed, and Num Lock categories can
still be modified.
- If System Password is not enabled, you can assign a
system password (however, you cannot disable or change an
existing system password).
When you enter the system setup program, Page 2 of the system
setup screens appears, with the Setup Password category
highlighted, and prompts you to type the password.
If you do not type the correct password within 3 tries, the
system allows you to view, but not modify, the system setup
screens—except for the categories listed above.
Disabling a
Setup Password
To disable the setup password, enter the system setup program,
enter the current setup password, and press the left- or
right-arrow key. The setting will change to Not Enabled.
When the Setup Password category is set to Not Enabled, a new
setup password can be assigned or the system can operate with no
password assigned.
Changing
an Existing Setup Password
To change an existing setup password, enter the system setup
program and disable the
current password.
Then, with the Setup Password category set to Not Enabled, assign a new setup password.
Disabling a
Forgotten Password
If you forget the setup password, you will be unable to change
settings in the system setup program until you disable the
password.
Disabling the password involves going inside the computer and
changing a jumper setting (twice) on the system board, as
follows:
- Turn off the system, and remove the computer cover.
- Move the jumper plug on jumper A to pins 2 and 3 to
disable the password(s).
- Turn on the computer. Powering up the system with jumper
A set to the disabled position erases existing
password(s). Before assigning a new password, you must
reset jumper A to the enabled position.
- Turn off the computer.
- Place a jumper plug on pins 1 and 2 of jumper A to enable
the password features.
- Replace the computer cover.
- With the Setup Password category set to Not Enabled, assign a new setup
password.
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