Manuals

Setup Password: Dell Dimension XPS M166s/M200s/M233s

Setup Password Feature | Assigning a Setup Password | Operating With Setup Password Enabled | Disabling a Setup Password | Changing an Existing Setup Password | Disabling a Forgotten Password

Setup Password Feature

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 status options that can be displayed in the Setup Password category in the system setup program 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 the user to enter and verify the password. If a character is illegal for password use, the system emits a beep. After the user verifies the password, the Setup Password setting changes to Enabled. The next time the system setup program is entered, the system prompts the user for the setup password.

Operating With 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 user can still modify the Date, Time, CPU Speed, and Num Lock categories.
• If System Password is not enabled, the user can assign a system password. (However, the user cannot disable or change an existing system password.) When the system setup program is started, Page 2 of the system setup screens appears with the Setup Password category highlighted, prompting the user to type the password.

If the correct password is not typed correctly within 3 tries, the system allows the user 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 the user forgets the setup password, the user will be unable to change settings in the system setup program until the password is disabled. Use the following procedure to disable the password:

1. Turn off the system, and remove the cover.
2. Move the jumper plug on jumper A to pins 2 and 3 to disable the password(s).
3. 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, the user must reset jumper A to the enabled position. Perform the following steps to reenable the password features:

1. Turn off the computer.
2. Place a jumper plug on pins 1 and 2 of jumper A to enable the password features.
3. Replace the computer cover.
4. With the Setup Password category set to Not Enabled, assign a new setup password.