Each time you turn on or restart your computer, the computer 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 settings. The computer then prompts you to enter the system setup program to correct the setting.
You can use the system setup program to perform the following tasks:
To change the system configuration information after you add, change, or remove any hardware in your computer
To set or change user-selectable options, such as 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:
The top of the screen has a menu bar for accessing the main program screens.
The box on the left side of each screen lists options that define the hardware installed in the computer. Fields beside the options contain settings or values. You can change the settings or values that are enclosed in brackets. Values that are grayed out contain status information reported by the computer.
The box on the right side of each screen displays help information for the option with a currently highlighted field.
The lower area of the screen lists keys and their functions for the currently displayed screen.
The menu bar provides access to the following screens:
Main screen — Provides settings for the basic computer configuration
Advanced screen — Provides detailed settings for some computer features
Security screen — Provides indications and settings for system password and setup password
Power screen — Provides settings for system power management features
Boot screen — Provides information about which device boots the computer
Exit screen — Provides selections for saving and loading the configurations and options
In addition to these screens, options identified by a right arrow provide access to submenus.
If you wait too long and the operating system begins to load into memory, let the computer complete the load operation. Then shut down the computer and try again.
Options are Disabled (default) and Enabled. Select Enabled to reset ESCD when you exit the system setup program if you have installed a new device and the system reconfiguration has caused such a serious conflict that the operating system cannot start.
NumLock
Selects power-on state for Numlock. Options are On (default) and Off.
Configures the integrated primary IDE controller as either Enabled (default) or Disabled.
Secondary IDE Controller
Configures the integrated secondary IDE controller as either Enabled (default) or Disabled.
IDE Primary Master
Identifies the first drive attached to the primary IDE interface, usually the boot hard drive. See "IDE Primary Master Submenu."
IDE Primary Slave
Identifies the second drive attached to the primary IDE interface, usually a second hard drive. The format of this submenu is the same as the one described in "IDE Primary Master Submenu."
IDE Secondary Master
Identifies the first drive attached to the secondary IDE interface, if there is one. The format of this submenu is the same as the one described in "IDE Primary Master Submenu."
IDE Secondary Slave
Identifies the first drive attached to the secondary IDE interface, if there is one. The format of this submenu is the same as the one described in "IDE Primary Master Submenu."
Configures the floppy drive interface. Options are Enabled (default) and Disabled.
Drive A:
Selects the floppy drive type as 1.44M, 3.5 in (default); None; 360K, 5.25 in; 1.2M, 5.25 in; 720K, 3.5 in; or 2.88M, 3.5 in.
Floppy 3 Mode Support
Selects Floppy 3 mode support for the floppy drive. Options are Disabled (default) and Drive A.
Diskette Write Protect
Protects a floppy disk from being written to when set to Enabled. When this option is set to Disabled (default), the floppy disk is not protected unless the write-protect tab is in place.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual.
If you forget your supervisor or setup password, you cannot operate your computer or change settings in the system setup program until you clear the forgotten password(s).
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions provided in your Owner's Manual.
NOTICE: The following procedure resets all standard settings for your
computer. Before proceeding, record all current settings so that you can
restore them when you finish this procedure.
Locate the 3-pin CMOS jumper on the system board. The jumper is
on the first two jumper pins nearest the back of the computer. Move
the jumper to the two pins nearest the front of the computer, wait
approximately 5 seconds, and then move the jumper back to its
original position.
