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System Setup Program

Dell™ Dimension™ 4550 Series

  Overview

  Hyper-Threading

  Viewing Settings

  Clearing Forgotten Passwords

Overview

The system setup program contains the standard settings for your computer.

NOTICE: Unless you are an expert computer user, don't change the settings for this program. Certain changes might make your computer work incorrectly.

See the following figure for an example of the main screen of the program.

Hyper-Threading

HINT: Hyper-Threading is supported only on computers that have 3.06-GHz microprocessors (or higher) installed.

Hyper-Threading is an Intel� technology that can enhance overall performance by allowing one physical microprocessor to function as two logical microprocessors, capable of performing certain tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft� Windows� XP operating system because Windows XP is optimized to take advantage of Hyper-Threading technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-Threading technology, some programs have not been optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an update from the software manufacturer. Contact the software manufacturer for updates and information on using your software with Hyper-Threading.

To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:

1. Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

2. Click Hardware and click Device Manager.

3. In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to the processor type. If Hyper-Threading is enabled, the processor is listed twice.

For more information on Hyper-Threading, search the Knowledge Base on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.

To enable or disable Hyper-Threading:

1. Shut down and restart the computer.

2. When the DELL� logo appears, press <F2> immediately to enter the system setup program.

   If you wait too long and the Microsoft Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.

3. When the system setup program screen appears, highlight CPU Information and press <Enter>.

4. When the CPU information screen appears, highlight Hyper-Threading and press the spacebar on the keyboard to select Enable or Disable.

5. Press <ESC> to save the setting and exit the CPU Information screen.

6. Press <ESC> to Save and Exit.

7. When you see the message Save changes and exit now, press <Enter>.

Your computer will restart.

Viewing Settings

1. Turn on (or restart) your computer.
   
   
2. When the blue DELL™ logo appears, press <F2> immediately.
   
   

If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.

System Setup Program Screens

The system setup program screens display the current configuration information for your computer. Information on the screen is divided into five areas:

• Title – The area at the top of all system setup screens that displays your computer's model number.
  
  
• Computer data – Two boxes below the title that display the system processor, L2 cache, service tag, and the version number of the system setup program.
  
  
• Options – A scrollable box listing options that define the configuration of your computer (including installed hardware, power conservation, and security features).
  
  

Fields to the right of the listed options contain settings or values. The settings and values that you can change are brighter on the screen. All other settings and values are set by the computer and cannot be changed. When <Enter> appears to the right of an option, press <Enter> to access a pop-up menu of additional options.

• Key functions – A line of boxes across the bottom of all system setup screens that lists keys and their functions within the system setup program.
  
  
• Help – Press <F1> for information on the option that is selected (highlighted).
  
  

Option	Function
System Time	Displays the system time.
System Date	Displays the system date.
Diskette Drive A:	Displays floppy drive details.
Primary Drive 0:	Displays primary hard drive 0. The default is Auto.
Primary Drive 1:	Displays primary hard drive 1 (if installed). The default is Off.
Secondary Drive 0:	Displays secondary hard drive 0. The default is Auto.
Secondary Drive 1:	Displays secondary hard drive device type. The default is Off.
Boot Sequence	Displays boot sequence when <Enter> is pressed.
Memory Information	Displays amount of system memory.
CPU Information	Displays CPU information when <Enter> is pressed.
Integrated Devices (Legacy Select Options)	Displays integrated device options when <Enter> is pressed.
PCI IRQ Assignments	Displays PCI IRQ assignments when <Enter> is pressed.
IRQ Reservations	Displays the IRQ reservations when <Enter> is pressed.
Power Management	Displays power management options when <Enter> is pressed.
System Security	Displays system security options when <Enter> is pressed.
Keyboard Numlock	Turns the Keyboard NumLock option on and off. The default is On.
Report Keyboard Errors	Displays keyboard errors when set to Report. The default is Report.
Auto Power On	Allows auto power-on. The default is Disabled.
Fast Boot	Turns the fast boot option on and off. The default is On.
IDE Hard Drive Acoustics Mode	Sets the performance speed of your hard drive. The default is Bypass.
System Event Log	Displays the system event log when <Enter> is pressed.
Asset Tag	Displays asset tag information.

The following table shows Memory Information option information.

Option	Function
Hyper-Threading	Enables Hyper-Threading. The default is Enabled.
CPU Speed	Sets the CPU speed. The default is Normal.
Bus Speed	Displays the bus speed.
Processor ID	Displays processor ID.
Clock Speed	Displays clock speed.
Cache Size	Displays cache size.

The following table shows Integrated Devices (Legacy Select Options) option information.

Option	Function
Sound	Turns the integrated sound off and on. The default is On.
Mouse Port	Turns the mouse port off and on. The default is On.
USB Emulation	Turns USB emulation off and on. The default is On.
USB Controller	Turns the USB controller off and on. The default is On.
Serial Port 1	Sets serial port options and turns the port off and on. The default is Auto.
Parallel Port	Displays parallel port settings when <Enter> is pressed. The default mode is PS/2 and the I/O address default is 378h.
IDE Drive Interface	Sets the IDE drive interface options. The default is Auto.
Diskette Interface	Sets diskette interface options. The default is Auto.
PC Speaker	Turns the PC speaker off and on. The default is On.
Primary Video Controller	Sets the primary video controller. The default is AGP.
Video DAC Snoop	Turns the video DAC Snoop off and on. The default is Off.

The following table shows Power Management option information.

Option	Function
Suspend Mode	Displays the suspend state used by the computer. The default is S3.
AC Power Recovery	Enables AC power recovery to occur. The default is Off.
Low Power Mode	Minimizes power use when the computer is off. The default is Disabled.

The following table shows System Security option information.

Clearing Forgotten Passwords

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in "Safety Instructions."

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).

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.

1. Shut down the computer.
   
   
2. Turn off any attached devices and disconnect them from their electrical outlets.
   
   

NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.

3. Disconnect the power cable from your computer, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
   
   
4. Open the computer cover.
   
   
5. Locate the configuration jumper on the system board, and move the jumper plug so that pins 2 and 3 are jumpered (to "clear" the password when you turn on the computer).
   
   
6. Close the computer cover, connect your computer to an electrical outlet, and turn on the computer.
   
   
7. Access the system setup program and assign a new supervisor or setup password in the Maintenance menu.
   
   
8. Exit and save the system setup program settings.
   
   
9. After the computer boots, turn it off, and unplug it from the electrical outlet.
   
   
10. Open the computer cover again.
    
    
11. Move the configuration jumper plug so that pins 1 and 2 are jumpered (the "normal" setting).
    
    
12. Close the computer cover, connect your computer to an electrical outlet, and turn on the computer.
    
    

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