Each time you turn on or restart your computer system, 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 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—for example, 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:
At the top is a menu bar for accessing the main program screens.
The box on the left side of each screen lists options that define the
installed hardware in the computer. Fields beside the options contain
settings or values. You can change those that are enclosed in brackets.
Values that are grayed out contain status information reported by the
system.
The box on the right side of each screen displays help information for
the option with a currently highlighted field.
The lower-right area 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 system complete the load operation. Then shut down the computer and try again.
Determines whether the computer is configured to support Plug and Play devices from the operating system or from the system BIOS. Leave this option set to Yes so the operating system handles all Plug and Play operation.
Be sure that this option is set to No before running Dell Diagnostics. Otherwise, some diagnostics may incorrectly fail.
The system setup program automatically checks the configuration of a Simple Boot Flag-compatible operating system at POST. Depending on its configuration, the system setup program may automatically set this option to No or Yes.
Reset Config Data
Permits resetting Plug and Play configuration data to default values. Yes resets the data; No (default) retains the current Plug and Play settings. If set to Yes, configuration data reverts to default values the next time the computer boots. This option automatically reverts back to the No setting.
Configures the serial port. Set this option to Auto (default), Enabled, or Disabled. Depending on the port setting, you can set the following additional options:
Base I/O Address
If the port is set to Enabled, available I/O addresses are 3F8, 3E8, 2F8, and 2E8.
Interrupt
If the port is set to Enabled, available interrupts are IRQ3 and IRQ4.
Parallel Port
Configures the parallel port. Set this option to Auto (default), Enabled, or Disabled. Depending on the port setting, you can set the following additional options:
Mode
If the port is set to Auto or Enabled, available modes are OutputOnly, Bi-Directional (default), ECP, and EPP.
See the device manufacturer's documentation for information on which mode to use before changing this setting.
Base I/O Address
If the port is set to Enabled, available I/O addresses are 378 (default), 278, and 228.
Interrupt
If the port is set to Enabled, available interrupts are 7 and 5.
Onboard Audio Device
Sets the integrated audio controller to either Enabled (default) or Disabled.
Legacy USB Support
Set to Enabled (default) to allow support for legacy USB. Set to Disabled if legacy USB support is not desired.
Configures the integrated primary and secondary IDE controllers and detects the types of drives attached to them. If set to Primary, Secondary, or Both (default), the designated controller(s) are enabled, and the types of drives attached are displayed. If set to either Primary or Secondary, the other controller is not enabled and the IRQ it normally uses becomes available. If set to Disabled, the system cannot detect any drives attached to the controllers and displays None for all four IDE drive options.
PCI IDE Bus Master
Set to Disabled to disable the computer's PCI IDE Bus Master functions. Set Enabled (default) to enable the features.
Primary IDE Master
Identifies the first drive attached to the primary IDE interface, usually the boot hard drive. See "Primary IDE Master Submenu."
Primary IDE 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 "Primary IDE Master Submenu."
Secondary IDE 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 "Primary IDE Master Submenu."
Secondary IDE Slave
Identifies the second drive attached to the secondary IDE interface, usually a CD, CD-RW, or DVD drive. The format of this submenu is the same as the one described in "Primary IDE Master Submenu."
Configures the floppy drive interface. Options are Enabled (default) and Disabled.
Diskette A
Selects the floppy drive type from Not Installed, 360 KB 5 1/4", 1.2 MB 5 1/4", 720 KB 3 1/2", 1.44/1.25 MB 3 1/2", or 2.88 MB 3 1/2".
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.
Supports the Windows® 2000 multiple-monitor feature. Select AGP (default) to specify the integrated AGP video controller as the primary video adapter. Select PCI to specify a PCI video card as the primary video adapter.
AGP Hardware Detected
Displays the type of AGP hardware detected by the computer.
Indicates whether a supervisor password has been assigned.
User Password Is
Indicates whether a user password has been assigned.
Set Supervisor Password
Sets and confirms a supervisor password. If a supervisor password is set, a User Access Level option appears that enables you to set the user access level as Full (default), Limited, No Access, or View Only.
Enabled (default) displays the Dell logo during POST. Disabled displays the normal POST messages.
Quick Boot
When set to Enabled, this option shortens POST by eliminating some tests. If set to Disabled (default), all POST tests occur.
The system setup program automatically checks the configuration of a Simple Boot Flag-compatible operating system at POST. Depending on its configuration, the system setup program may automatically set this option to Enabled or Disabled.
The Intel® Pentium® microprocessor includes a processor serial number feature designed to provide additional user security and manageability benefits. By default, this feature is disabled on Dell computers to protect your privacy. However, it can be enabled through the
Processor Serial Number option in the system setup program.
NOTICE: Do not change this setting by any means other than the system setup
program. Otherwise, your computer may become unusable.
Enter the system setup program.
When the Main screen appears, press the down-arrow key to highlight
the Processor Serial Number option, and then press <Enter>.
Select Enabled from the menu, and then press <Enter>.
Use the right-arrow key to highlight Exit, and then press <Enter>.
When prompted to confirm the changes you made, press <Enter>.
The computer restarts with the processor serial number feature
enabled.
HINT: The processor
serial number feature
remains enabled until you
disable it in the system
setup program.
To disable the processor serial number feature, repeat steps 1 through 5, selecting Disabled in step 3.
