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Using the System Setup Program: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX1 Small-Form-Factor System User's Guide

	Overview		System Setup Navigation Keys
	Entering the System Setup Program		System Setup Options
	System Setup Screens

Overview

Each time you turn on your computer system or press the reset button, the system compares the hardware installed in the system to the hardware listed in the system configuration information stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) on the system board. If the system detects a discrepancy, it generates error messages that identify the incorrect configuration settings. The system then prompts you to enter the System Setup program to correct the setting.

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 system

• To set or change user-selectable options—for example, the time or date on your system

You can view the current settings at any time. When you change a setting, in many cases you must reboot the system before the change takes effect.

After you set up your system, run the System Setup program to familiarize yourself with your system configuration information and optional settings. Dell recommends that you print the System Setup screens (by pressing the <Print Screen> key) or write down the information for future reference.

Before you use the System Setup program, you need to know the kind of diskette drive(s) and hard-disk drive(s) installed in your computer. If you are unsure of any of this information, see the Manufacturing Test Report that was shipped with your system and is located in the Dell Accessories folder.

Entering the System Setup Program

To enter the System Setup program, perform the following steps:  

1. Turn on your system.

If your system is already on, shut it down and then turn it on again.

2. Press <F2> immediately when the F2 = Setup prompt appears in the upper-right corner of the Dell logo screen.

If you wait too long and your operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation; then shut down the system and try again.

NOTE: To ensure an orderly system shutdown, consult the documentation that accompanied your operating system.

You can also enter the System Setup program by responding to certain error messages. See "Responding to Error Messages."

System Setup Screens

The two System Setup screens, Page 1 and Page 2, display the current setup and configuration information and optional settings for your system. (Typical examples are illustrated in Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Typical Examples of System Setup Screens (Page 1 and Page 2)

	1 Configuration options 2 Title box 3 Help 4 Key functions 5 System data

Information on the two System Setup screens is organized in five boxed areas:

• Configuration options

The box on the left half of both screens lists the options that define the installed hardware in your computer.

Fields beside the options contain settings; those that appear bright on the screen can be changed. Settings that you cannot change because they are determined by the system appear less bright.

Some options have multiple fields, which may show settings as bright or less bright depending on what options or values you entered in other fields.

• Title box

The box at the top of both screens lists the system name, page number (Page 1 or Page 2), and the revision number of the basic input/output system (BIOS).

• Help

The box on the upper-right half of both screens displays help information for the option with a currently highlighted field.

• Key functions

The line of boxes across the bottom of both screens lists keys and their functions within the System Setup program.

• System data

The box in the lower-right corner of both screens displays information about your system.

System Setup Navigation Keys

Table 1 lists the keys you use to view or change information on the System Setup screens and to exit the program.

Table 1. System-Setup Navigation Keys

Keys	Action
	Moves to the next field.
	Moves to the previous field.
	Cycles through the options in a field. In many fields, you can also type the appropriate value.
	Scrolls through help information.
	Switches between Page 1 and Page 2.
	Exits the System Setup program without rebooting the system and returns the system to its previous state—the boot routine.*
	Exits the System Setup program and reboots the system, implementing any changes you have made.
	Resets the selected option to its default.
	Enters the Device List screen when the Boot Devices menu option is set to Device List. See Table 2 in "System Setup Options" for more information on the keys you use in the Device List screen.

System Setup Options

See System Setup Options for information.

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